HAROLD B. LEE LIBRARY
•<(GHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY
PROVO, UTAH
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GENEALOGY AND BIOGRAPHICAL NOTES
OF
JOHN PARKER OF LEXINGTON
AND HIS DESCENDANTS.
Showing his earlier ancestry in America from
Dea. THOMAS PARKER
OF READING, MASS.
From 1635 to 1893.
BY
THEODORE PARKER,
A descendant in the ninth generation from Dea. Thomas Parker.
WORCESTER, MASS.
PRESS OF CHARLES HAMILTON.
1893.
\
^OVOfc UTAI4
PREFACE.
Ever feeling an interest to know more regarding my ances-
tors and their connection with the progress of the times in
which they lived, I undertook during the summer of 1888 to
prepare a small pamphlet publication sfiowing the genealogy,
if possible, of my own immediate relatives. This attempt
only brought to view the necessity of a wider scope and a
more complete work. Encouraged at this stage by the interest
and entreaties of relatives to extend the work, and feeling the
great need of preserving in printed form the historical and
genealogical records, which might otherwise be lost forever
in the course of time, I finally determined to procure the gene-
alogy of the Lexington branch of the Parker family.
The compiler realizes the fact that no genealogy is complete
or perfect, and the present volume doubtless has its share of
errors, although accuracy has been the watchword. It is not
laid in the critics' path with any idea of rhetorical excellence
or fine writing ; neither is such a work a pecuniary advantage,
as its completion requires years of deep research, correspond-
ence and expense, but it is given to the family with the com-
pliments of the author for what use and service it may be to
those of the living and future generations whom it does and
will concern'.
May it ever serve to help us cherish the memory of those
devout, sturdy and industrious generations to whom we are
indebted for our progress, our freedom, and our very existence.
T. p.
"Children's children are the crown of old men ; and the
GLORY OF children ARE THEIR FATHERS." ProVerbs^ Xvii., 6.
"If any one OF us could trace our ancestral stock back
TWO hundred years we should FIND THE PROXIMATE CAUSE
OF THE DISPOSITION BORN IN US." — Rev. Theodorc Parker.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
The Lexington Parker Homestead, - - faces title page
Col. Amos Andrew Parker, - - - faces page 195
The Princeton Parker Homestead, - - faces page 219
Columbus Greene, . . _ - - faces page 241
Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Parker, - - - faces page 243
Rev. Theodore Parker, . - - - faces page 245
Dea. John Parker, . _ - _ _ faces page 295
Mrs. Mary C. (Brown) Parker, - - faces page 376
Edward H. Parker, ----- faces page 377
Charles W. Parker, ----- faces page 409
Edgar Parker, ------ faces page 410
Walter E. Parker, faces page 440
Family Group: Arthur A., Clarence E.,
Edward H. and Theodore Parker, - faces page 441
PARKER GENEALOGY.
THE PARKER NAME IN ENGLAND.
Even farther back than the commencement of English
history we can trace the origin of the Parker name. It is as
old as parcarius, park keeper or shepherd, and from which
employment it was derived, thus extending back through the
ages unbroken to the origin of the Roman language. It is a
name not made from location or invented by lord or knight
for himself and descendants, but is one of the names of occupa-
tion, of active out-door life, that life which made useful, inde-
pendent, hearty men, w^ho caused the name of Parker to
multiply, making it one of the common names of to-day.
The Danes, Saxons and Normans had their representatives
of the name ; they were men of hardy and strong physique,
were hunters and warriors as well as tillers of the soil, and
romance made up a part of their pastime. A keeper of the
king's hunting grounds must necessarily be active and enter-
prising. He must be a good hunter and as well informed as
the civilization allowed, — a typical man of the early ages.
The name is well associated with the history of England, a
general usefulness, good social standing and spiritual progress
have been the characteristics of this ancient family name.
From its great age the name is necessarily a common one in
England, ranking eleventh in the kingdom in point of numbers.
The word Parcus meant a picketed enclosure for domestic
animals and also a preserve for game. Parcus and DeParco
are mentioned in the Doomsday Book. They are found in
Liber Feudorum and one Geoffrey Parker is noted in the
reign of Edward I., who ruled from 901 to 925. He lived at
Bexley on the eastern coast of England. From him there
probably descended a numerous posterity. We afterward
hear from Johannes le Parker, a Norman, who followed
William the Conqueror (1066-1087), and was the keeper of
2 PARKER GENEALOGY.
the Royul Parks. ^ The Taxicio Ecclesiastica yields the name,
and we find the following in mediaeval Latinity of 1205 :
"Johannes le Parker tenet dimid,hidam terrae per servantium
costodiendi Parcum Domini Regis et Riesam forinsicum et
valet hoc annus dimidiam marcam." "John the Parker holds
half a hide of land for the service (sergeantry) of keeping the _
King's park and pasture ground and receives this year half a
mark." Fifty acres and 6s. 8d. per annum for folding the
royal sheep and driving them to pasture.
James le Parker turns up in Norwich in 1261, and one
Samuel Parker is noted in the reigns of Henry III. and Edward
I., which would place it at about 1275. It would be ditficult
to ascertain from which of the foregoing Reginald le Parker
was descended. He accompanied Edward I. to the Holy
Land and received a royal grant of land for his efficient
services. A ver^" ancient family record which was at Park
Hall, Stafl^ordshire, but which was, many generations since,
destroyed by fire, accredited Reginald le Parker as the
common ancestor of the Norton Lees branch, and in turn
of the Park Hall, the Earl of Macclesfield line. The reign
of Edward I. embracing from 1272 to 1307, it follows that
Reginald le Parker was necessarily ancestor of the Lan-
cashire Parkers, whose descendants were the founders ot the
Browsholme and Norton branches. The family was early
located in Lancashire and it is in this part of the kingdom
where we find their records connected from generation to
generation, and the mystery so characteristic of the mediaeval
ages here gives way for fact. \Yilliam le Parker was seated
in Extwistle, Lancashire, in the time of Richard II. The
land which he purchased has a history also. Its first recorded
owner was Adam de Preston, who conveyed in the reign of
King John (at about 1200), and again in that of Henry III.,
the lands which he held in Extwistle to the monks of St.
Mary of Kirkestall. In the reign of Richard II. John De
Bardesay, Abbot of the Monaster}' of the Blessed Mary of
Kirkestall, conveyed these lands by a deed dated 13 of that
reign (1398) to William le Parker, a monk, who at the time
' His name was spelled many ways in English records, varying from Parker
to Parchour, Parkre, Parkerre.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 3
of Henry IV. (1399-1413) is styled " de Monk Hall in
Extwistle."
He had four sons. The eldest was Lawrence Parker. He
heired the estate, and from him in direct descent is pre-
served in Burke's Landed Gentry the male line almost com-
plete from William le Parker to the living Parker families of
Extwistle and Cuerden, which places are side by side. It
comprises about twenty generations of father and son. The
Lancashire branch has an interesting history, and they appear
to have flourished from its earliest time. Emigration becoming
necessary the sons helped settle the surrounding counties, and
in turn added honor to the name. Browsholme is located just
across the county line from Cuerden. The family here
appear respectable and flourishing early in the sixteenth cen-
tury. It is here we find at about 1470 Robert Parker, a name
common among the descendants of William and who, in Eng-
lish records, is styled Robert Parker, Esq., in the Forest of
Holland, Yorkshire. His daughter Elizabeth heired the estate
and by marriage became heir of Redmaine (also spelled Red-
mayn, an ancient Yorkshire family), and had an only daugh-
ter, Jennet, who was heir to both. Then Edmund Parker,
younger son of Parker of Horrockford, married Jennet and
thus continued the Parker name upon the Browsholme estate.
He was a descendant of the Lancashire family', as is shown
by this family connection and b}^ similarities in coats of
arms. They had with two daughters a son and successor,
viz. : —
Robert Parker, Esq., of Browsholme, who m. Elizabeth,
dau. of Edmund Chadderton of Nathurst, father of William
Chadderton, Lord Bishop of Lincoln, and had issue. Robert
Parker was still living in 1591.
I. Edmund, drowned at Cambridge, unm.
II. Thomas, his heir.
III. Roger, D.D., Precentor and Dean of Lincoln, and d.
29 Aug., 1629, aged 71.
IV. William, of Blisland and Warligon, in Cornwall, I
D.D., Archdeacon of Cornwall, living in 1620, and from him,
was descended in the female line John Anstis, Garter King of
Arms.
4 PARKER GENEALOGY.
The eldest surviving son, Thomas Parker of Browsholme,
Bow bearer of the forest of Holland in the Duchy of Lan-
caster, m. Bridget, dau. and co-heir of James Tempest of
Raj^ne in Craven, and had by her, who d. in 1610, a numer-
ous family of children, a son and successor.
His heir and successor, Edward Parker, Esq., of Brows-
holme, b. 3 Aug., 1602, m. 28 Jan., 1629, Mary Sunderland,
dau. of Richard Sunderland of High Sunderland in York-
shire. This Richard Sunderland for wife had Mary, sixth
dau. of Sir Richard Saltonstall, Knight. Lord Mayor of Lon-
don. This would make Mrs. Edward Parker, the niece of
young Richard Saltonstall, prominent in the early settlement
of America. The portrait of Edward Parker as Bow-bearer
of Bolland forest is preserved. It is a fac-simile of a large
rare folio etching.
Norton Lees is an attractive portion of the parish of Norton,
County Derby, which adjoins Lancashire and Yorkshire.
The first of the name which we find there is Adam Parker,
who in the year 1352, Sept. 17, was witness to a grant of land
in Norton from Sir Thomas Chaworth, knt.. to John and
Isabell Tynet. Thomas Parker appears in 1384, and in 1402
John Parker, both acting in similar positions. Thomas Parker
of Grenehill and John Parker of Norton purchased in the year
1423 of Robert and Margaret Fletcher all of the land and
tenements formerly occupied by Richard Peyne. Here their
history becomes more defined and interesting. A direct
descendant of the Little Norton and Park Hill Hnes is the
Hon. E. T. Parker Vwroig of Aston Hall, Sutton Coldfield,
Birmingham, Eng., who very kindly assisted in this English
research, and who contributes the following : '' According to
the pedigree which was at Park Hall, the Norton Lees estate
was granted to a Roger de Gotham, who attended Edward HL
at the siege of Calais and had an augmentation of arms for his
services. The above Roger had a son Thomas, who had a
son Adam. This iVdam had an only daughter, Elizabeth,
who m. Thomas Parker of Bulwell, Co. of Nottingham."
This is the first of the line that any family records mention.
In a pedigree of Moore in M. S. Gg., 3, 34, in the Cam-
bridge University Library, England, said to be written by the
PARKER GENEALOGY. 5
hand of James Gresham of Fulham, Co. Middlesex, is the
following : " Memorand, that one Booth sometimes was Bishop
of Yorke [23 H. 6-1445] beeing before his promotion to that
See Arch Deacon there and lay at Rotheram in the same
county had two sisters. The one of them, then hee being
Archdeacon, married he unto one Mr. John Parker of Bulwell
in com. Nottingham esq're which Parker had by hir diverse
children and was of a Cli land b}^ the year or thereabouts . . .
Memorand, that the aforesaid John Parker had a sister whose
name was Elizabeth and was married to one Thomas More of
Grenhill in com. Darby, grandfather to Christopher More,
that is to say, son of John More son of the aforesaid Thomas
More."
Thus it appears probable that the above named Thomas
Parker was son of Thomas Parker, once of Grenehill, but
then of Little Norton. The father Thomas was in all proba-
bility son of the Thomas of 1384, and he, possibly the son of
Adam. And it is certain that the progenitor of the Parkers
of Little Norton was descended from the Lancashire stock.
This is shown by marked similarities in the coats of arms of
the two families and by tradition.
This places the marriage of Thomas Parker and Elizabeth
at about the middle of the fifteenth century, providing he was
brother to the above named John. From him is traced his
son and heir, Thomas Parker of Whitley and Ecclesfield.
He was a " scithesmith" and a "yeoman." His will, as copied
from the Journal of the Derbyshire Archaeological and Natural
History Society, 15 10, August 20.
WILL OF THOMAS PARKER.
^tt the name of 6otl, %m(\\, the xx*'' day of August the yere of o,
Lorde a thousande ccccc"' and x, I Thomas Parker, of Whitley,
make and ordeyn my testament in maner and fo''me folowyng. First
I bequeth my soule to Almyghty God o"" blessed Lady seint Mary and
the copany of hevyn, my body to be buryed w'in my pish chirch of
Ecclesfeld. Itm I bequeth to my mortuary my best beest. Itm I
bequeth to the seid chirch of Ecclesfeld for my tythes necligently for-
gotten vj^ viij**. Itm I will that of all my goodes my detts be paid,
and all wrongs by me doon, and trewly proved, be resonably recom-
pensed spially in discharge of my soule. Itm I bequeth to the
O PARKER GENKALOGY.
making of the rode-lofte and stalles in the seid chirch, xl*" Itm to
the reparyng of Seint Mychels chapell w'in the seid pish, iij*- iiij*^-
Itm I bequeth to Elyn Parker, my doghter, xl mrc to her mariage, if
it may be born. Itm I will that Thoms Shirclift', of Ecclesfeld, John
VVilkynson, of the same, and John Grubbe, of Netherhertley, or
their heires imediatly aff my decesse surrender in to th'ands of my
lorde of Sherusbury according to his custome w'in the lordeship of
Halomeshir, all and ev such meses, landes, tents, meadowes and
pastures, w' their app''tenncs, as I have in Whitley, or in the felds of
the same, purchased of William Whete, in Woodsetts, purchasid of
William Houlle, holden of my seid lord as of his lordeship of
Halomshir, by copy of court rolle, to the use of John Parker, my
Sonne, and the heires of his body laufully begotten for ev. And for
defaute of such issew of his body laufully begoten, the remaynder
therof to Richard Parko"", his brod"", and to the heires of his body
laufully begotten for ev. And for defaute of such issew^ of his body
laufully begotten, the remander therof to the right heires of me the
forseid Thomas Pker for ev. Itm I will that the same Thoms Shir-
clift', John Wilkynson, and Robert Grubbe, their heirs or assigneis,
imediatly aff my decesse surrende into th'ands of the prior and
covent of Coventre charterhouse all such meses, lands, tents, wodds,
medows, lesues and pastures, w' their app''tenncs, as I have in
Nether Hertley, late p''chased of Thoms Barmley* holden of the seid
pV and covent by copie of co''t rolle, as of their lordeship at Eccles-
feld to the use of Richard Pker, my Sonne, and heires of his body
laufully begotten for ev. And for defaute of such isshew of his body
laufully begotten, the remand'' therof to John Parko'', his brod'", and
heires of his body laufully begotten for ev. And for defaute of such
isshew of his body laufully begotten, the remander therof to the next
heires of me the seid Thoms for ev. Itm I will that the said Thoms
Shircliff, John Wilkinson, and Robert Grubbe, or their heires,
immediatly aff they be required, surrende into the hands of the p''o''
and Covent of the Charterhouse of Coventry, according to his
custome, a mese, lands, medows, wodds, lesues and pastures, w'
their app''tenncs, as they lye in Neder Hertley, unto the use and
behove of Ric. Pko"^, my sonne, and to the heires of his body laufully
begotten ; and for defaute of his body* laufully begotten, the remander
theroffto John Parko'', his brod"", in like estate, the remander thereof
to the right heires of me the forseid Thoms Parko"" for ev. Also I
*Sic t'ti reg, forsati Barmby.
t Probably the words " such issue of" omitted; but it stands so in the copy
in the Register at York.
PARKER GENEALOGY. h
will that immediatly after the seid surrend"" maid unto the seid
Richarde Pko% that the seid Richard shall make to Agnes Pko% my
doghter, a sufficient surrende of a yerely rent of xx'-, to be taken and
paid out of all the landes, medows, wodds, lesues and pastures, w*
their app''tenncs in Ned' hertley aforeseid, to have and holde to the
same Agnes and hir assignes during hir liff at ij termes in the yere,
that is to say, at the feest of Penticost and Saint Martyn, by evyn
porcions, w' clause of distresse for noon payment of the same in the
aforeseid mese, lands, wodds, medows, lesues and pastures. Itm I
will that if, as God forbede, hit happen that the seid Agnes be
decrepyd, or in such case that she may not stere herselff, or come to
a grete necessite, then the seid Richard Parker, or his heires, shall
pay yerely during the lif of the seid Agnes, ov and above the seid
xx^-, vj'-, viij''-, that is to say, if the seid chaunce happen, xxvj^-, viij**-
Itm I will that Richard Parker, my sonne, shall have the takke of
my water-whels after my decesse. Also I will the seid Richard shall
have a mese in Brokehouse, w'in the pish of Laghton, w' th' app''-
tenncs. Itm I will that the seid Richard shall have an annuall rent
of ix*- lyyng in Dennaby, in the holding of Wynter. Itm that the
seid Richard shall have my right in ij closes, w' a medow called
Horbury, w' a close called Longlands, and a croft callyd Ryfarecroft.
Item that the seid Richard shall have at Neder Hertley a fournes, a
fourmelede, a wort stoon, a kneding-trough, a mulding horde, a
stepefatte, ij grete arkes, ij chayres, a mete horde, a folding borde, a
chymney, ij bedds, an arke, a long chist, a saing borde, ij bedds in
the new chambre, oon in the plo"", and an awmery in the new plo"^ at
Whitley. Itm that the same Richard shall have ij stythes, ij bare
bales, all od"' smythy gere, ij stoones troughed coultroughed (sic).
Itm I will that John Parko', my sonne, have at Whitley ij stones
troughed called coltroughes. Itm at the whele a stythy and a pair
of bellows. Itm at Whitley, a chayr, a chymney, iij mete bords in
the chechyn, a kneding trough, a moldyng bord, a fournes, a wort
stoon, a lede in a fo'"me, all the bedds in the plo"^, ij yronbonde
coffers, an arke, an awmery in the chambre, an arke and a bedde in
the new chamber, iij close bedds in the malthouse, a stepefatt, a close
bedde, and the iij close bedds to stand still for the svntes. Itm I will
that out of the meses, w' th' app''tenncs in Dalton my seid feoftes
shall suffer, aff my decesse, the profetts yerely to be taken in fo'"me
folowyng. First xiiij" vj''- to find a preist at Ecclesfeld to sing yerely
Ix messes, that is, ij tymes Seint Gregory trentall, w' svyce therto
belonging. Itm of the seid mese yerely iiij''- to the vicar of the same
chirche to pray for the soules of me, my ij wiffs, my fad' and mod',
8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
and all myn aunceto'"s and child'' soules, on the Sonday in the chirch.
Itm for an obijt evy yere to be made for Thorns Pko% Elsabt, and
Agnes, his wiffs, his fad"" and mod"" soules, out of the seid mesa v**
yerely to be takyn and paid. Itm to the clerc for v mynnyngs yerely
to be paid v**- of the said mese. Itm that the residew of the mese,
that is ijs. iiij^', that my childer ther being shall have yerely j"*-, and
the residew to poore folkes having most nede. Itm that seint
Mychell warke if it may be shall have vj^- viij**- Itm in likecase to
the p'o"" and covent of the charterhouse, vj'- viij**- Itm I ordeyn to
be ovseers of this my last will M^ Herry Evinghm, esquier, to
whome shalbe geven xx^- Thorns Evynghm, sonne of the seid
Herry, to whome shalbe giffen x^- Sir Thorns Thorley. pson of
Thorley, to whome xx'- Robert Pko"", my sonne, Robert Gilberthorp,
Willm Crofte, to evy of the seid Robert and William for rewarde
vj'- viij''-, and the costes of all my seid ovseers wher or whed'' so ev
they be called to be borne at all tymes of my goodes. The residew
of my goods before not bequethed, I will that mv wifl' shall have hir
thirde parte therod'and the seconde pt to be disposed and spendyd at
my buriall and after warde for the well of my soule. And the thirde
pt therof I giff and bequethe to Richard Pker, my sonne. Itm T
will that Robert Pker, my sonne, shall pay unto Agnes Pker, my
witf, yerely during hir liff, xiij^- iiij*^- Itm I will that John Parker,
my Sonne, shall pay unto the same Agnes, his mod"", evy yere during
hir lift", xxvj^ viij*^-, in mony of hir thirde and dowery. Itm I will
that Richard Pker, my sonne, shall pay unto the same Agnes, his
mods every yere during hir lif xxvj* viij**' in mony for hir thirde and
dowery, if the forseid my childer may their landes peasably enjoy
w'out trouble or recovy. Also I ordeyn and make Agnes Parker,
my wift', John Pkar and Richard Pker, my sonnes, myn executo'^s of
this my psent testament.
ifn U'itnCSl Whcrof herunto I have set my seale, thes being witnesses,
sir Thoms clerc, vicar of Ecclesfeld. Thoms Robt Grubbe, and
Shircliff', John Wilkinson, od"" moo, the day and yere abovesaid.
Probatum fuit p vicariu de Shefteld, p comissionem [15 lo]. Reg.
Test. 8 fol. 55A. ^
His son Robert had a son Thomas of Little Norton, "yeo-
man." This Thomas had a son John Parker, also a "yeo-
man," and who lived in Little Norton. A deed relating to
this member of the family contains the name Ryddinge,
which is certainly interesting considering the connection this
location (Reading) has borne with the Parkers of Massachu-
setts. This is its copy :
PARKER GENEALOGY. 9
" Deed between John Bullocke of Darley, in co. Derby, Esq., and
John Parker of Little Norton, co. Derby, yeoman. Being tenants in
common in several closes, &c., in the parish of Norton, called the
Lea Maskers, Johnsett wood field, Ryddinge, Johnsett noil, the
Mawe land, the Hie field, and Howl storthe land, a piece of wood
ground called Johnsett wood, and other lands in Little Norton mea-
dow, the yard in the holding of Wm. Mawer, Norcroft, Shipley
Lowage, and Lowage gate. Hie Storthe, Lyarde land, the Lea, being
parcel of the land of Wm. Rawly nson, they had agreed to make a
division in severalty as therein named. Witnesses, Henry Tayler,
James Bullock, Robert Boothe, Willm. Simpson, James Bayte,
William Rawlynson."
This John Parker had a son John, baptized 4 Sept., 1575,
m. 1601, Dyonysia, dau. oi Thomas Bright of Bradway, and
aunt of Sir John Bright. He m. second, 2 July, 1605, Jane,
dau. of James Bate of Jordenthorpe, Co. York, and by her
had John, his heir, 12 Aug., 1607; Thomas, baptized 31
March, 1609; William, 23 July, 1614 ; Jane. Of the children
of the above named famil}', John Parker, b. 1607, heired the
estate of Norton Lees ; WilHam, b. 161 4, m. Bridget Carrier,
granddau. of Thomas Parker, Esq., of Browsholme, Bow-
bearer of the forest of Bowland. She was also niece of
Edward Parker of Browsholme.
It is thus evident that our Puritan ancestor, Thomas Parker,
who came from London to the New World in the year 1635,
could belong to the Norton Lees branch and, through Bridget
Carrier, become well acquainted with the Browsholme branch,
and through Edward Parker's marriage connection with the
Saltonstalls. Sir Richard Saltonstall, Jr., had been to the
New World several times, had lived for years in Water-
town, and had successfully transported ship-loads of pilgrims
to their haven of refuge. In 1635 he was again raising a
company for transportation.
William, the aforesaid, removed to Park Hall, Staffordshire,
and was the ancestor of that illustrious line. He commanded
a company of exparte regis and took part in many military
actions, including Hopton Heath, Marston Moor. Naseby
and Worcester, was taken prisoner and suffered much for his
loyalty. He d. 12 May, 1703. By wife Bridget he had
lO PARKER GENEALOGY.
tvvo daughters and three sons, the latter being : I, George
Parker. Esq., of Park Hall, who heired the estate and was
high sheriff'. II. Thomas Parker, Esq., who studied law,
removed to Leeke, was a diligent practitioner of his profession
and whose son Thomas Parker by his own wonderful dili-
gence and perseverance in study, and the use of a most
retentive memory, became a most powerful lawyer and
a man of invincible influence at the bar. He was known
as the silver-tongued orator, instituted many reforms in Eng-
lish laws and was created Earl of Macclesfield, an honor
which is still held by the family. III. Robert, cup-bearer to
Queen Catharine.
Another illustrious line of the Parker family has been living
for several centuries at North Molton, Co. Devon, near the
southwest shore of England. Their histor}- is interesting and
their emigrative growth has been rapid. Some of this branch
removed to Castle Lough, Ireland, and became the founders
of the Parkers of this portion of the island (Tipperary Co.).
where many of the name reside. They are characterized by
being strongly Protestant in faith. The Irishmen in America
by name of Parker are mainly descended from this line.
Another earlship was attained by the early founders of the
Molton Parkers, the Earl of Morley being the title which
descends from father to son in like manner with the Earl of
Macclesfield. Sir William Parker, standard-bearer to King
Richard III. (1483), was the first of the Morley and Mont-
eagle Parkers. Molton Parker issues emigrated to : I. Petterell
Green, Co. Cumberland. II. Warwick Hall. III. Plympton,
IV. Whiteway, Co. Devon. V. Homington. Co. Warwick.
VI. Melford Hall, Co. Suftblk.
Extwistle and Cuerden Parker issues emigrated : I. to Brows-
holme. Co. York : II. Norton, Co. Derby : III. Whiteley Hall,
Co. Lincoln. The Browsholme lines spread out to : I. Hare-
den, Co. York. Later those of Norton found their way to : I.
Park Hall : II. Woodthrope, Co. York ; and from the Park Hall
family descended the Earl of Macclesfield, lately represented
by Thomas Augustus Wolstenholme Parker (b. 1811), Shir-
burn Castle, Tetsworth, Carlton Club, S. W. ; 94 Eaton
Square, S. W. His heir is George Augustus Parker. Vis-
PARKER GENEALOGY. II
count. The Park Hall family is now represented by Thomas
Hawe Parker, Esq., son and heir of the late Thomas Parker,
grandson of Sir Thomas Parker, Chief Baron of the Ex-
chequer, while the occupant of the ancient Cuerden estate,
Lancashire, is Thomas Townley Townley Parker, Esq., of
Cuerden Hall.
COATS OF ARMS.
The early coats of arms of the Parkers of Extwistle were : —
Gu. a chevron between three leopards' heads, with arrow
in mouth of each leopard. Crest, a buck trippant ppr. trans-
pierced through the body with an arrow point downwards,
arg.
That of the Browsholme line was very similar and the fol-
lowing was used by Edward Parker, son of Thomas: Vert.,
a chevron between three stags' heads, caboshed or. Crest, on
a chapeau a stag trippant ppr. Motto, "-JVonJluctu necfatti
movetur -Parkers of Browsholme." (Unmoved by either
wave or wind).
This coat of arms was granted to the Parkers of Norton Lees
and used by them: Gu., a chevron between three leopards'
faces, or. Crest, a leopard head aftrontee erased, or, ducally
gorged, gu. Supporters, two leopards regardant ppr. ; each
gorged with a ducal coronet; gu. Motto, '•'•Sefre Ande'''
(Dare to be just). The same coat of arms has descended
through the Park Hall and Statfordshire lines, and is now used
by Sir Thomas Parker, Earl of Macclesfield, England.
The arms of Earl of Morley : A stag's head caboshed be-
tween two flaunches ar. Crest, an arm erect vested az. slashed
ar. cuft'of the last, the hand grasping the attire of a stag gu.
also stag, greyhound, horse's head, etc. Motto : Fideli
Certa Merccs. (The reward of the faithful is sure).
Arms of Cambridgeshire Parkers — A buck trippant betw.
three phoens ar. within a burdure rugr. of the second hurtee.
Arms of Essex Co. Parkers — Or, three inescutcheons sa.
charged with as many phoens ar. Crest — A lion's gamb.
erased or. grasping an arrow gu. headed and feathered ar.
12 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Park Hall (Stafford, Derby) — Chev. betw. 3 leopard faces
and leopard's head guard, erased at neck or, ducally gorged.
Macclefield — Chev. betw. 3 leopard's heads, and leopard
head guardant, erased at neck or, ducally gorged.
Woodthorpe (York) — Ar. a chevron pean betw. three mul-
lets sa. on a chief az. as many buck's heads caboshed ar.
Crest, a talbot's head couped ar. ears and tongue gu.
INTRODUCTORY
TO
THE AMERICAN HISTORY.
It has not yet been positively ascertained from which Hne
of Parkers our ancestor descended. From tradition and clues
we can base our own judgment. By records it is known that
he was born in the year 1609.^ What success seemed to have
crowned the genealogists' efforts when the family of John
Parker of Little Norton was reached, showing a son Thomas,
baptized March 31, 1609! But upon searching the father's
papers dated 1632, and also his will, bearing date of 1637, ^^
mention of a son Thomas is made. That leaves us to suppose
one of two things, ist, that he died young ; or, 2nd, that he
went to live with his Browsholme relatives or early removed
far from home. Tradition helps the case along from its state-
ment that our ancestor was connected by marriage with the
Saltonstall family. We know that the Browsholme Parkers
were so connected. In this manner he could have easily
become interested in the work which Sir Richard Saltonstall,
Jr., was doing toward the colonization of New England. It
is also traditioned that Thomas Parker was one of three
brothers who came to America at an early day and settled
finally in three different places, viz. : Reading, Chelmsford
and Groton. In fact this tradition is so common among the
Parker family in general as to make it worthy of much reflec-
tion. One of the brothers, Abraham Parker, settled in
Chelmsford, and in his family there descended an heirloom,
the Parker Coat of Arms, which his descendant, Dr. Wm.
Thornton Parker, describes in heraldry as follows: **Gu.
a chevron between three leopards' faces or. Crest, a leopard's
head affrontec erased, or, ducally gorged, gu." This seems
to be the copy of the arms of the Parker family of Little
Norton, and shows genealogical connection. The name in
' He died in Reading, Aug. 12, 16S3, "aged about 74," so savs his grave-
stone.
14
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Norton and Little Norton was characterized with intelligence
and industry. They were well known families and lived well
for the times. Thus Little Norton is supplied with a majority
of evidence toward claiming our ancestor. But the descend-
ants of Abraham Parker of Chelmsford have the universal
tradition that their ancestor came from Wiltshire County,
England. In fact, Mr. Cutter in his history of Jaftrey,
N. H. (where an illustrious family of Abraham's descendants
settled), states that Abraham Parker was born in Marl-
borough, County Wilts, England. This might easily be so.
From Newbury, County Berks, there came to Newbury in
New England, Joseph Parker,^ brother of one Nathan Parker,
who soon followed. They remained in Newbury a few years,
when they removed to Andover, Joseph being one of the
founders of the Church there in 1645. From Wiltshire there
came Rev. Thomas Parker, a man characterized by his gener-
ous teachings of intellectual improvement and spiritual prog-
ress. He was the only son of Rev. Robert Parker, who was
called " Rev.'* in the English Nation at the age of 22. The
son Thomas was born in 1595, and while in England pub-
lished a treatise on repentance, also several on the prophecies.
Rev. Thomas Parker came to Ipswich in 1634, then in 1635
to the first settling of Newbury and taught school as well as
preached. He died in Newbury unmarried, April 24, 1677.
He was a finely educated man, a speaker of ability and was
properly appreciated and well beloved It is said that he was
born in Newbury, Eng., which is in Berkshire. He was a
most prominent man of early Newbury, Mass., his good influ-
ence was widely felt and it was in his honor the town was
named Newbury, which verifies the tradition that he was born
in Newbury, Eng., thus in memory of his native home.
Parker river in Newbury was also named in memory of him.
Doubtless Rev. Thomas, Joseph and Nathan were brothers,
and descended from the family seat at Newbury, Eng. The
Puritan minister had no issue, but the children of Joseph and
Nathan bore the names of Joseph, Stephen, Thomas, Samuel,
John; John, James, Robert and Peter. There is such a
'Joseph Parker also owned an estate in Ramsey, eight miles from South-
ampton, which by will he gave to his wife Mary.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I5
Striking similarity of names herein shown with the names of
the five brothers who settled in Billerica, Chelmsford and
Groton, and their children and of our ancestor, Dea. Thomas
Parker and his children, that there seems to have been strong
family connections. This method of naming in honor of rela-
tionship was in olden time more universal than at present.
Our ancestor, Thomas Parker, was of the same name as
the preacher of Newbury, and the name of Thomas occurs
in two lists of children. Joseph of Andover was himself of
the same name as one of the five brothers, furthermore, our
ancestor had in 1642 a son whom he named Joseph, but who
died in 1644. His next child was a son whom he also named
Joseph, but who also died young. Then again, the name
Nathaniel occurs among his children, as well as sons Thomas
and John, and grandsons Stephen and Samuel. A Samuel is
also found to be one of the sons of James, one of the five
brothers. One of the five was John, and this name occurs
among the children of Joseph, James and Abraham, and this
James had a son James.
Abraham Parker might easily have been born in Marl-
borough, Eng., which is situated near Newbury, and have
been connected with the Newbury line. So far as the tradi-
tion goes that Dea. Thomas was one of three brothers, he
could be brother of Joseph and Nathan of Newbury and
Andover, but the remainder of the tradition would not thus
apply. If he was not a brother to the five he must have been
related as near as cousin. The coat of arms just mentioned
shows that the brother belonged to a junior branch of the
Norton Lees family. There was a difference of 14 years
between Rev. Thomas Parker of Newbury and our ancestor,
Dea. Thomas Parker. Thus they could easily have been
uncle and nephew. Further research toward this end in
Newbury, Eng., may bring to light the proper records which
will clear away all lingering doubts and present us with this
much sought information of the past.
Mr. John L. Parker of Lynn, genealogist of the descend-
ants of Abraham Parker, thus writes upon this subject :
"Abraham Parker was born in Marlborough, Wiltshire.
The exact date of his birth cannot at present be given, but it is
l6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
believed to be 1612. The Parker brothers were probably
young fellows who saw a chance in the New World to better
themselves, and embraced the opportunity to come over and
join the settlers at the mouth of the Charles river, where they
first settled and where they found employment in the first
buildinuf of the town. The men who settled Charlestown
were of a sturdy sort, possessing the true spirit of the pioneer,
and endowed with courage, independence and perseverance.''
This work does not take up the descent of these Parker
brothers ; it has not the room to follow complete all the fami-
lies descended from Dea. Thomas Parker, but takes up in full
only one branch of the Dea. Thomas Parker tree. Imagine,
then, the necessary research to make his genealogy complete,
and what a vast amount of genealogical matter would be the
collection of that relating to all of the Parker brothers. But
it is hoped the completion of this genealogy will make it
a less troublesome task for the succeeding historian to take up
other branches of the family, and that some day the records
of each branch will be preserved in suitable book form.
In the great work of reclaiming the grand, unbroken forest
from its wild state ; in founding this greatest of nations, and in
planting for the benefit of succeeding generations the many
blessings of our good government, — the public schools, the
freedom of speech, worship, and all things that are right,
how much are we indebted to our ancestors ! Can anyone
who brings these subjects into account say as many do, that
this matter of genealogy is of no sense or importance? Is it
not disgraceful, yes, even wicked, to so decide? Every
patriotic son of America should feel proud that his ancestors
took part in the American Revolution, Having once obtained
full knowledge of this do we feel like parting with it? No,
indeed, not for wealth I True, genealogy is an interesting
study, and the deeper we go into it and contrast old times with
the present the more it teaches us and the more interesting it
becomes, Daniel Webster once said, "There is a moral and
philosophical respect for our ancestors which elevates the
character and improves the heart." It is just this spirit which
prompts the genealogist and fills him with zeal to carefullj'-
gather all important matter, and in the face of financial loss
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 7
in his undertaking to finish his publication. It is that worthy
love for our ancestors and an effort in the writer to preserve
those records and make so accessible to the family that should
cause all to share a proper interest in those of their family
who have gone before.
To illustrate the part in this great task which the Parker
name has performed would make a most exhaustive work and
many volumes. This work is confined mainly to the family
in Lexino-ton and their issue. In that town the scene is inter-
esting. Connected with the outbreak of the war for independ-
ence will be always associated the name of Capt. John Parker,
the commander of the first organized company of patriots who
so nobly opposed by his guidance the advance of the British
troops into our country. Near the Common there lived Jonas
Parker, a martyr of that morning and who so faithfully kept
his avowal that he would never run from an enemy. A
grandson of the captain was the Rev. Theodore Parker, the
world-renowned theologian and founder of the Parkerism
faith, the most noted man which Lexington ever produced.
The Parker families of early times were universally pros-
perous and flourishing. In their characters we find a con-
stant fire of devout Christian spirit, and they were in short
very religious. They prayed often to the Father of us all and
the Giver of all mercies. In their letters to each other they
always desired the blessing of God. They all belonged to
the Church and vigorously supported it. As early as 1720
there were in Reading 18 adult persons by name of Parker
who were in full communion with the Church. They took
no part in crime or intemperance of any kind. No evil or
disgraceful act recorded against the early Reading or Lexing-
ton Parkers has been found. Up to 1834 forty-one by name
of Parker had graduated from Harvard and thirty-eight from
all other New England colleges. This strong New England
teaching brought forth some of the most worthy men of our
land ; supporters of principle, well educated and thoughtful,
firm minded and conscientious, while they seldom allowed their
public ambition to extend but little beyond their own home.
A general view of the early genealogy of the five Parker
brothers is taken up in the Appendix, together with other
l8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Parker trees of America. There has heretofore been no
printed genealogy in full of any one branch of the Parker
family ; the researches for this work have required the writer's
spare time for five years, and everything available concerning
the earliest generations has been obtained so far as known ;
hence may this volume be of some interest to all of the Parker
name.
The following is a fac-simile extract from Horton's Copy of
the London Records, from Chapter entitled :
[Regi]ster of the names of
all y^ Passinger w""^ Passed
from y^ Port of London for
on whole yeare Endinge at
Xp^^' 1635.
1635 — Passinger wch Sailed From ye Port of
London — 1635.
\n the Suzan & Ellin Edward Payne Mr for New Eng-
land. Theis pties hervnder expresed have brought
Certificate from the Minister & Justices of their Conformitie &
that they are no Subsedy Men.*
AGE
AGE
Husbandman John Procter 40
Tho : Wells
30
with family
Peter Cooper
28
Alice Street 28
Wm. Lambert
26
Husbandman Walter
Samuel Podd
25
Thornton 44
Jeremy Belcher
22
with family
Marie CHftbrd
25
John North 20
Jane Coe
30
* The term that thev were " no subsedy men" implied that they were not at
that time connected with the English army.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
19
Francis Pynder
20
Marie Riddlesden
17
with family
Jo : Pellain
20
Richard Skofield
22
Matthew Hitchcock
25
Edward Weeden
22
Elizabeth Nickols
25
George Wilby
16
Thomazin Carpenter
35
Richard Hawkins
15
Ann Fowle
25
Tho : Parker
30
Edmund Gorden
18
Symon Burd
20
Tho : Sidlie
22
Jo : Mansfield
34
Margeret Leach
22
Clement Cole
30
Marie Smith
21
Jo : Jones
20
Elizabeth Swayne
16
Wm. Borrow
19
Grace Bewlie
30
Phillip Atwood
13
Ann Wells
20
Wm. Snowe
18
Dyonis Tayler
48
Edward Lumus
24
Hanna Smith
30
Husbandman Richard
Jo : Backley
15
Saltonstall
23
Wm. Battrick
18
with wife and child
DEACON THOMAS PARKER.
r ^0 Ixy^cA <^y^\/'^2^J^^ir^ The ships Suzan and Ellen,
^ y I in which our ancestor sailed
from London, March ii, 1635, were fitted out by Sir Richard
Saltonstall, with whose family it is traditioned that he was con-
nected by marriage. It is probable that one ship carried the
major part of the passengers, while on the other was placed
their wherewithal with which to begin life in the new land.
From the articles still in preservation of those things which
our ancestor brought over from England, it is evident that his
outfit was large and of the best. Sir Richard Saltonstall, Jr.,
had already been assistant governor of Massachusetts. It
was his son who accompanied the voyage and who afterward
settled in Ipswich.
At this time a passage across the Atlantic was a perilous
and tiresome journey of several months' duration. Would
that we knew all about the circumstances which caused
Thomas Parker to bid farewell to relatives and friends, to
brave the dangerous ocean voyage, and to enter upon the
hardships of life in a wild unsettled country. But we find
that our ancestor was a devout follower of Christ. He shared
the Puritan's desire for a freedom of worship. Fettered as
this was at home he was obliged to share the fate or fortune
of his fellow Puritans in the new country and new govern-
ment of New England. In spiritual matters he took a deep
interest, being one of the founders of the twelfth Congrega-
tional Church in Massachusetts.
It seems that Thomas Parker was still an unmarried man
when he embarked in the Suzan and Ellen, March 31, 1635,
for no Amy Parker appears at a later or earlier date upon the
emigration records, and no mention of his wife is made in
the list of passengers, neither is there the name of an}- one
whose first name was Amy. It was customary in those days
of faithfulness and toil for the young men to emigrate, find a
r
22 PARKER GENEALOGY.
proper settlement, erect a house, which was made generally
of logs, and start cultivation in the thin settlement. He would
then either return home and there be married, or send for his
bride and marry her soon after her arrival. But the majority
of the early unions came from the daughters of our sturdy
Puritan ancestors who were already settled in the colony,
together with those young men who had proved themselves
most worthy. The peculiar arrangement of dates 'almost
prove this the case with our ancestor. From his union with
wife Amy their first child was born some time in 1636. As he
sailed from London in March, 1635, and arrived at Boston or
Lynn in the latter part of the same year, it seems that it re-
quired five or six months to make the voyage. His wife Amy
must have been in America with him by the early part of
1636, and probably had the first records of Lynn been saved
from an ancient fire we would find it recorded that Thomas
Parker was married at about Christmas, 1635. Be that as it
may, it is certain that she made a true and happy companion
for him through life, and proved a kind, christian mother with
her large family of children. He probably arrived in time to
escape the greatest storm then known on the Atlantic coast.
It occurred in August of 1635, and many ships and lives were
lost.
A very small portion of the old records of Lynn are pre-
served. The part saved were jottings of public interest and
called "They Lynn Annals." Therein we find the following :
"1635. Came this year, Thomas Parker, a farmer, who
embarked at London, March 11, 1635."
In the Mass. Records we find the sumptuous prefix of M7'.
to his name in the list of freemen ; that was decidedly more
charily pronounced in 1637 than to-day. On May 17 of that
year, with scarce two years passed in America, he was made
a freeman in Lynn.* This was the lawful acceptance of his
allegiance to the colony, the grant of full suffi-age and the right
of holding public office. It was a very highly appreciated
right and was very often withheld to the settler for four, five or
SIX years. Following this in the first division of land made by
♦ It is recorded in Vol. I., page 195, of the Colonial Records.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 23
the town in 1638, 40 acres, a high average for this division,
was allotted to him. But L3"nn seems to have been only a re-
cruiting-ground for our ancestor, as at this time he removed to
an inland habitation, being the first or one of the very first set-
tlers of what is now the town of Reading. It was first known
as Lynn Village. This was the abode and hunting-grounds
of the Indians, whose arrow-heads are still found along the
Saugus. The land was purchased from the Indians at a very
early date. Mr. Parker was soon active in the establishment
of a church. It was built about 1644 and stood upon the
Common. He was ever active in spiritual matters and taught
his large family that fear of God which he himself possessed.
He was made deacon, and it seems was later honored as chief
deacon, as certain documents bear the title "Thomas Parker,
In Sept., 1639, the inhabitants of Lynn petitioned the General Court for an
inland plantation at the head of their bounds. The "plantation" was called
Lynn Village urtil 1644, when it was incorporated as a town and named Read-
ing. It is said, but has not been proven, that Dea. Thomas Parker was con-
spicuous in naming the town, and if he chose the name it proves his con-
nection with the Parker family of Little Norton, Eng. , who owned land by
name of Ryddinge, as is spelt in the deed of 1591 of John Parker of Little
Norton, and which name Dea. Parker would naturally hold in fond remem-
brance. Moreover, in many of the town records the name continued to be
spelt Reddhig- for half a century.
The location of our ancestor's home in I..ynn has not been fully known,
but Alonzo Lewis, the Lynn historian, is credited with placing the original
homestead of Thomas Parker in the part which is now Saugus, where is now
the house of Mr. Albert Parker. This is but a short distance to the north of
the town hall and about 80 rods south of the very ancient iron-works which
flourished at about 1630. This is a very pleasant spot. The view comprises
that of the Saugus river and valley as far as Lynn itself. An allotment of
40 acres in this part of Lynn would necessarily have been a part of the land
upon which is now situated Saugus Centre. This theory may be doubted,
however, on the ground that the family now residing upon the place have no
records or traditions pointing to such a history, and the first records of Lynn
have been lost. But Mr. Lewis further added that the place has never passed
out of the Parker family but has been in the family for seven generations,
which would now be eight and even nine generations. If this be the case it is
one of extreme rarity.
He was one of the signers of the Armitage petition, spoken of at length in
the history of Lynn.
During the 256 years which have passed since the arrival of Thomas Parker
in America, the goods which he brought from England have been thoroughly
distributed among the ever increasing number of descendants. Among the
number, however, are two ornamented jars and a hard wooden mortar still in
24 PARKER GENEALOGY.
splendid preservation. One of the jars is in possession of Mrs. Rhody
Sj'monds of Wakefield, and the mortar is in possession of Mr. Henry Boynton
of Andover. It has long been stated that the jars or vases contained tea when
brought from England. They were made of earthenware and were selected
from the best quality the times afforded. The ornamentation is neat and
pretty. Further interest in this line ought to reveal many valuable heirlooms
now unknown to the writer.
Deacon of Redding." He was selectman in 1661, and con-
tinued irregularly for five years more. He with Deacons
Thomas Kendall and William Cowdrey was appointed com-
missioner for trying and defending "small causes." We find
his signature in several places among the archives of the
State attached to the petitions of the town to the General
Court. In the four divisions of land made by the town,
wherein all had a share, large tracts of land were added to
his estate, by one of which he" received over 200 acres on the
north side of Ipswich river, which land he mentioned in his
will. He was a gentleman of property, but had some diffi-
culty in establishing the bounds of his large tracts of land.
The following agreement well represents the mode of divis-
ion between the first settlers. Rev. Samuel Haugh, Read-
ing's talented minister, and whose land bordered Dea.
Parker's, died in 1662, which made the necessity of a definite
division :
Know all men by these Presents that whereas there hath
bene a division betwene the overseers of the estate of the late desesed
Mr Samuel Haugh of the one side and Thomas Parker of the other
side about a side and hedd line, both partis above mentioned have
therfoure chosen Lieut John Smith and Johnathan Poole to run and
stake the line and end the diferans between them, and gave them
power to choose a thurd man to them if they saw needed have
therfoure chosen Thomas Kendall to be the thurd man. Who
have therefore thus laid out a strait line for them both which we
have run and marked according to our best understanding: — rand
shown both parties together which line is to be the continuous and
stated line between them. And as for the fense, the said Thomas
Parker is to have one poale of the stone wall made by the afore^*^
desesed Mr. Samuel Haugh by the ould well and to have it next his
own land and he is also to have that poale of stone wall that was also
made by the abovesaid Mr. Haugh that now falls in his own grounds
at the lower end of the lot, and in consideration whereof the said
PARKER GENEALOGY. 25
Thomas Parker is to mark out a half of such fense as he does reservee
for Mistris Brock betwene her pasture and her forest(?) at the west
end of the lot and the said Thomas Parker is to sett the fense into
the line between the pastures at the lower end of the lot and to give
to the said M'' Brock four shillings for what is run in this papur.
This is our agreement in wittness whereof we have hereunto set
our hands.
John Smith,
Airi — 2 — 1663. Thomas Kendall,
Jonathan Poole.
To ascertain the location of our ancestor's home has caused
much painstaking research. As a matter of ancestral respect
it is our duty to know as near as possible what part of the
town of Reading constituted his farm, his homestead and the
scenes with which he was most familiar. The historian of
Reading, Mr. Lilley Eaton, himself, seems to have been in
error in regard to the original homestead. Thomas Parker's
farm bordered a part of the east side of the Common and also
the north and east sides of the estate of Rev. Samuel Haugh.
Mr. Haugh was the second minister of Reading and his house
stood where now stands the Wakefield town hall. Our
ancestor being among the very first settlers secured good land
in the centre of the town, where it is now thickly settled.
Thus it is safe to estimate that the oldest Parker homestead
was inside of a radius of 30 rods north or east of the spot
where is now the Wakefield town hall. The location is a
pleasant one, and the choice made by our ancestor is credita-
ble to his judgment.
His intimate neighbors were men of sterling worth and all
whom, like him, had lived first in Lynn. The most friendly
and social relationship seems to have existed between them.
These were the men with whom Dea. Parker's name is found
almost invariably connected: Dea. Wm. Cowdrey, the most
prominent citizen of the town ; John Poole, the father of
Reading's manufacturing industries ; Nicholas Browne, a
native of Inkborrow, Eng., whose land was near Dea.
Parker's; Dea. Tho. Kendall and Dea. Zachary Fitch, whose
son Benjamin Mr. Parker called his "well beloved and trusty
friend." Each of these families intermarried with our ances-
tor's children, except that of Mr. Fitch. Other neighbors
26 PARKER GENEALOGY.
were John Weston, "a man deeply interested in religious
matters"; Rev. Samuel Haugh, the first minister of the town,
a "very pious man," and Rev. John Brock, who succeeded
Mr. Haugh, and who, it is recorded, "dwelt as near Heaven
as any man on earth."
His will, made Aug. 3, 1683, preceded his death only nine
days. It seems that he was sick and called in his friend Wm.
Cowdrey, for it was made hastily and is in Dea. Cowdrey's
handwriting. Being too weak to write he made his mark to
the will. The original document is on file in Middlesex
Probate Records. His widow, Mrs. Amy Parker, died in
Reading, Jan. 15, 1690.
WILL OF DEACON THOMAS PARKER.
The Laste will & testament of Thomas Parker of Reddinge this
third of August 16S3 ; although weake in Bodey yet of Set in Minde
& Memorey
1 I give My Soule to God that gave it and My Bodey to be buried
by Christian frennds In hope of A Joyfull Resurextion at the last
days
2 I give unto My Dear wife Amy My house & homstead with
two Akers of Medow at the Mill two Akers in the Reedy Medow
And two Akers in the great Medow And three Akers in the saw
Mill Medow next to the Medow of Edward Taylors, And Also the
Improuvment of All my Cattell & houshold goods with the Im-
prouvment of All the Land And Medow during her natural life
3 I give unto My son John Parker all the Land he lives upon Be
it More or Less with five Akers of Medow In Bear Medow and two
Akers of Medow by Jonas Batons Medow And two Akers in Reedy
Medow, And also a quarter parte of My great Devidend,* And two
Akers of the wet Swamp.
4 I give unto My sonn Thomas Parker all the Land he now lives
upon & five Akers of Medow in bear Medow : & the Slodge of
Medow Leying near Bursham Medow
5 I give unto My sonn Nathaniel Parker all the Land he now
Lives upon and the Remainder of My Medow In Bear Medow And
♦"Bear" and "Reedy" Meadows are familiar terms in Wakefield at the
present time. They lie along the Saugus river between the old Parker farm
and the Great Pond. The " Wet Swamp " was divided among the early settlers
in 1666. His " Great Devidend " was his grant of 1658, about 200 acres on the
north side of Ipswich river.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 2*]
the Round hole of Medow at Dustins Bridge, And tow akers of
Medovv in the great Medow he paying three pound within one yeare
after the Death of My wife Amy : unto his Brother Thomas Parker,
And I also give unto sonn Nathaniel Parker one halfe of My great
Devidend and Also My Ceador Swamp, and three Akers in the Saw
Mill Medow
6 Furthermore I give unto my sonn Thomas Parker two Akers
of the wet swamp, And the Reste of the wet swamp I give unto
my son Nathaniel Parker
7 Furthermore this is to be understod that the three Akers In the
Saw Mill Medow & the two Akers in the Reedy Medow & the two
Akers in the great Medow John & Nathaniel are not to have untill
the Death of their Mother
8 I give unto my two Daughters Maxey & Martha fortey shillings
a year to be payd them one yeare After the decease of ther mother
9 I give unto My grand children Samuel and Sarah Parker three
pound apease. Samuels at twenty one years old and Sarahs at her
day of Marrige provided they live with thear grandmother. Sarah
while she is eighteen year old : and Samuel while he is twenty one
year old provided that the over* seer doo see that he hath som Trade.
Furthermore the sayd Thomas Parker shall not sell Any of his
Land or Medow without the advise of his Brethren.
10 I give unto my grandchild Samuel Parker my gunn and my
Reste, but is to be parte of the three pound that is to be payd him
11 I give unto my Sonn John Parker A great Bible that Boniface
Burton gave to Me in Case It Com Into my hands
12 Lastly I make my Sonn Hannaniah Parker My full & sole
Executor of this My laste will & testament ; further More I Doo
Desier my well beloved and trusty freind Benjamin Fitch and my
sonn John Parker to bee the over seers of this My laste will & testa-
ment
Witnes William Cowdrey The Marke of
Thomas Clarke Thomas -|- Parker
Decon William Cowdrey subscriber to this Instrument testifieth &
saith that the testator Being in perfect mind & memory maid the
within and above Ritten instrument as his Last will & tesament
Taken upon oath
Before us,
Jn" Brown [Brown] J
December i8 : 83 : Thomas Clark appearing in court made oath as
a witness to the above sd will Jonathan Remington Clerk.
William Hazy , >^ , r r> 1 r
Com s for Redding-.
28
PARKER GENEALOGV.
An Inventory of the Estate of Thomas Parker Decon of Redding
this first of October 16S3.
First the house & homstead with tow Akors of Meddow
at the Mill
More for seventy five Akors of land and Medow
More for housing & 39 Akors of land & Medow^
More for 94 Akors of upland & Medow
More In Stock In Cattel & Swine
More In Land five Akors
More In husbandry Impliments
More one fetherbed & Boulster & bedsted
More one flock bed & bedding & bolster
For one bed more wth bedding thereto
For a Truckle bed & bedding
For eight paier of sheets & an od sheet
More for eight paier of pillow Beers
More for tabal Linnan
In puter in Brass and Iron
More for Chests Boxes and Chairs
More for Bibols and other Bokes
More for Barrels, Tubs, & other lumber
More for horse accoutrements
For his waring aparell, stockings & shoes
In Credit to the Estate
And no Debts
More in wolen & linnen & coton yarn & bages
Arms & Amonisshon
180 — 00 — 00
96 — 00 — 00
103 — 00 — 00
102 — 00 — 00
26 — 10 — 00
I o — 00 — 00
03 — 09 — 06
07 — 00 — 00
02 — 10 — 00
03 — 10 — 00
02 — 00 — 00
07 — 10 — 00
01 — 05 — 00
03 — 00 — 00
oS — 14 — 06
02 — 07 — 00
02 — 09 — 08
01 — 19 — 00
01 — 05 — 00
1 3 — 00 — 00
03 — 00 — 00
02 — 17 — 00
01 — 15 — 00
586 — 01 — 00
The total sum is
This Inventory Aprized by us —
William Cowdrey — Jn° Browne — Jeremiah S\vayne,
For the first half-century the burial-place of Reading was
on the east side of the Common which was, originally, of
larger area than at present. Here our ancestor was interred,
but in process of time the enclosure was allowed to go uncared
for and many of the old stones were broken or covered up.
Finally no trace of the old burial-ground remained, but in
1834, in building a town house which stood until recently, the
graves were broken into accidentally, and the stones thus
recovered have been preserved. They were removed to the
present cemetery where they stand in a row by the side of the
Great Pond. That of Deacon Thomas Parker is a worthy
PARKER GENEALOGY.
29
memorial. It is of excellent stone, very thick and in perfect
preservation, notwithstanding its age. Upon this the follow-
ing inscriptions were well chiselled : —
xm: ixi . WA
hERE L/ETi WmiN
'HIS ARCHED PLACE f.r
TE BOD/ OF OEACONlm^
THOMAS PARKER
WHO WAS WON or
HE FOUNDATION OF
TE qHURCH WHODY--
EDy /<? OF/\UGUST
IG8^ AGED ABOUT /^
%ffiwj5rfc'''
had nine
Children : —
Thomas Parker, b. in Lynn, 1636 ; m. Deborah
children ; d. July 17, 1699. See Appendix.
Hananiah Parker (2), b. 1638; m. Sept. 30, 1663, Elizabeth
Browne of Reading.
John Parker, b. in Reading, 1640; m. Nov. 13, 1667, Hannah
Kendall ; was Sergeant ; had 13 children. See Appendix.
Joseph Parker, b. 1642 ; d. 1644.
Joseph Parker, b. 1645 ; d. 1646.
Mary Parker, b. Dec. 12, 1647; m. Samuel Dodge of Beverly,
son of Richard ; she had n children and d. 1705. See Appendix.
Martha Parker, b. March 14, 1649.
Nathaniel Parker, b. May 16, 1651 ; m. Sept. 24, 1677, Bethia
Polly ; removed to the West Parish, now Reading town, was
Ensign ; had 13 children, and was ancestor of illustrious and very
numerous descendants. See Appendix.
30 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Sarah Parker, b. Sept. 30, 1653 ; d. Oct. 26, 1656.
Jonathan Parker, b. May 18, 1656; served in the Indian wars;
d. June 10, 1680.*
Sarah Parker, b. May 23, 1658.
* The military spirit was very strong among our ancestors when fighting
was the final cause of training. They always, from the time of landing, kept
a musket for the frontier, against Pequod, King Philip, French and Ojibways;
they never shrunk from pain nor fainted at the inevitable blood-lettings of
discomposed times, and always made a solemn business of military drill, as
old family almanacs and account books attest, in which the phrases of field
manoeuvres and words of command alternate with the price of hay and lum
bar and the settlement of a neighbor's bill. Jonathan had passed through
perils of the field in King Philip's War; perhaps he was one of the 150 volun-
teers under Turner, or one of Lathrop's picked company. This was in 1675-6,
but he was spared to die at home. The following seems to have been written
by his nephew John Parker, son of Hananiah, and who was in 16S0, at the age
of 16. A discolored sheet, which has long been treasured and preserved,
bearing the date of 16S0, is a most tender and God-fearing document : —
"THE DEYING WORDS OF JONATHAN PARKER."
"There was heard to say that he desiered that if it wear the will of God,
that this cup might pass from him, but if not he did desier to submit, allso he
desiered that God would soport his parents and make them wiling to submit,
if he must dey, that God would be Pleased to make his pasedg easy into glory
& if that he did dey he hoopt to go to a heavenly Father. Lord let my
prayers com before Thee as ensence and lifting of his hands as erning sack-
erifice he did entreate his father and mother to forgive him all his ofencis
telling of them that he would entreate them to submit to the will of God in
parting with them saying that he had cometted his case to God : and if it may
make most for Gods glory and youer comfort I desier to live, if not I am
wiling to dey: he was ott whither or which; was wiling to doo what might
make most for God.
" My afflictions wer great yet the love of God was greater : for he would live
to sinne, that he did believe that God would provide for his parents so that
they should never want : he begd of his mother to be wiling to part with him
and his mother sayed that she would have something when he was gone; and
[he] said that he hopt he was going to Jesus Christ Beeing asked if he
were not afraid of death, he sayed noe, for Christ had taken awaj the sting of
death — the sathon had thrust at him to make him fall but sayed he had no
foothould and had not yet prevailed & he hopt that he never should for he was
a coward. Then his mother sayd that it was a great merci that God did coop
him in the sins of the wars and brought htm home to dey by his Parents. I
had but a litol grace then but I had so much that I didn't fear Evil or Death —
There was notice taken of him that he prayed for he had nothing els to doo :
— he did desier to be remembered to his two Sisters and tell them that if they
do see him no more they should not see him sinne — XhonX "
In the lower corner is written in the same hand : —
"Diference betwene kings of thrones then John Parker; his exampl to you
youths."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 3I
Of the II children of Dea. Thomas Parker we pass on now
to the second son* —
Lt. Hananiah Parker, b. in Lynn(?),t 1638, son of
Dea. Thomas and Amy. He m. Sept. 30, 1663, EHzabeth
Browne, who seems to have had a twin brother Joseph, and
born in Reading, Dec. 10, 1647, dau. of Nicholas and
Elizabeth. I The father, Nicholas, was a native of Inkberrow,
Worcestershire, England, the son of Edward Browne. He
was a man of property. He lived in Lynn ten years, during
which time he was her representative to the General Court
from that town. Hananiah Parker settled on land which
bordered his father's farm.§ The assessors' list of 1667 credits
him with a house and farm. He was made a freeVnan Oct.
15, 1679. He belonged to Reading's militar}- company, of
which he was chosen ensign in 1680, and lieutenant in 1684.
It is evident that his Puritan townsmen had confidence in his
* See Appendix for the history of the remaining children of Dea. Thomas
Parker.
fit is uncertain whether he was born in Lynn, as the earliest records of
both Lynn and Reading are lost.
J Savage says she was a dau. of Jonathan Brown of Reading. His authority
is most excellent, but other records makes it more probable that she was dau.
of Nicholas. Savage describes this Jonathan Brown as " a man of substance."
§ This it seems was situated about a half-mile east of Dea. Thomas Parker's,
on the main road from Lynn to Lowell, now Lowell Street in Wakefield, and
upon which place Hananiah's descendants, through his son Ebenezer, occu-
pied and lived for five generations in the Parker name. The last one of these
was Thomas Parker, a namesake of the original ancestor, and a deacon also.
He is remembered by some of the old residents of Wakefield, formerly Read-
ing. From Thomas it passed into the hands of his niece, Mrs. Obed Symonds,
lately deceased. Since sold by her it has passed through many hands, and
the large house was destroyed by fire in 1880, while owned by a Mrs. Rogers.
Now only a cellar-hole and well remain, which is noticeable a short distance to
the east of Samuel Parker's on the north side of the road. This place is cred-
ited by Lille}' P^aton, historian of Reading, as the original homestead, that
of Dea. Thomas Parker. This is incorrect, howe\'er, as is proved by close
examination of the will of Lt. Hananiah Parker. Hananiah's three brothers
settled as follows: Thomas, Jr., succeeded upon his father's homestead in the
centre of the town; Sergt. John settled on Cowdrey's Hill; and Ensign
Nathaniel removed to the West Parish, now the centre of modern Reading.
This explains to us why Dea. Thomas Parker in his will, 1683, forbade his
son Thomas to sell any of his land or meadow without the consent of his
brethren.
32
PARKER GENEALOGY.
ability and character at an early date, for in 1679 he with two
others were given charge of building a new Meeting-house.
He was then chosen b}' the General Court one of the Com-
mittee to "rectifie and settle the highway between Woburn
and Reading." Consider the energy and industry of our
ancestor when w^e say that in addition to the great work of
changing the primeval forest to a fertile farm he performed
the duties of selectman, town clerk and representative, each
for a long period. The military affairs required much of his
time, if not active service at certain periods. Trainings were
frequent and an absence cost a heavy fine. Every Sunday
found him at church, to which he and wife connected them-
selves very soon after marriage. The Church records mention
his name with respect. As a representative of Reading to the
General Court at Boston he served seven ^^ears. He was a
typical Puritan yeoman, the father of a rugged, honorable
family of children. He gave thought to the education of the
young. In 1707 Lt. Hananiah Parker and Capt. John
Browne were appointed committee "to provide a Scool
Master for the towne school." They reported that John Webb
of Braintree "be chosen to teach reading, writing, casting
accounts and the Latin and Greek tongues" for the three
months next ensuing. His wife Elizabeth died Feb. 27,
1697.
He married 2nd, Dec. 12, 1700, Mrs. Mary (Bursham)
Bright, dau. of William Bursham and wadow of Dea. John
Bright of Watertown. She survived him. He died March
10, 1724, aged 86. She d. Jan. 4, 1736, aged 87. Thus she
was II years younger than he. Hananiah Parker had no
children from his second marriage.
WILL OF HANANIAH PARKER.
Ifn the Stamc of 6ort g^mcn the 20* of May 1703 I Hananiah
Parker of Reading in the county of Middlesex in the province of the
Massachusetts Bay in New England ^'eoman being aged and weak
in body but of perfect mind and memory (thanks be unto God there-
for) calling to mind my own mortality as knowing that it is appointed
for all men once to dye do make and ordain this my Last Will and
Testament that is to say principally and first of all I Give and recom-
PARKER GENEALOGY.
33
mend my Soul into the hands of God that gave it and my body to the
Earth from whence t'was taken to be decently buried in a Christian
manner by my Executour heafter named hopeing that at the
Resurrection of the Just I shall receive the Same again by the
mighty power of God. And as touching Such Worldly Estate as it
hath pleased God to endow me with — all I do bequeath and dispose
of the same as here followeth
I Will that all my Just Debts and funeral charges be duly dis-
charged in convenient time after my decease by my Exec^^ hereafter
named
I Give unto Mary my well beloved Wife the use of the west End
of my house from the top to the bottom with the back Lean to and
Cellar with the use of the Buttery and also a sufficient garden Spott
to be kept well fenced and in good manner for her use as she shall
see cause to improve it for planting of roots beans squashes and also
the keeping of one Cow Summer and Winter during her life or so
long as she shall remain my Widow, also an horse to Ride on when
she shall have occasion, also the going of one or two swine summer
and winter if she see cause and [also] a liberty keep fowls. And I
do give to my said wife firewood sufficient to be brought ready cut
for her use and laid conveniently near her door by my Executour
also I do give to her so many apples as she shall need to lay in for
Winter : also one Barrel of Cyder to be placed in her Cellar annually
by my Executour so long as she shall live and remain my widow —
My Will is that her garden and part of housing be kept in good
Repair for her and all taxes lawfully set thereon and demanded to be
paid by my s*^ Executour — Moreover I do give and bequeath unto
my s*^ Wife all such Provisions as I shall leave at my decease as also
such woolen and Linen Cloth that shall remain not made up into
garments — also I give to her fifty shilling to be paid her annually for
so long as she shall remain my Widow by my Executour herein-
after named
I do give and bequeath to my son John Parker and to his heirs
and assigns forever that house and land that was his Grandfather
Parker's which is that housing and Lands that he now occupieth
and liveth upon ; as also that three acres of Meadow which I bought
of Edw** Taylor and those Dividends which did of right belong to
the land abovesaid.
Moreover I give to my said son John that three acres of meadow
which was his Grandfather Brown's Gift to his Mother; also I give
unto him five pounds in passable money to be paid unto him by my
Execu'' afternamed within two years after my Decease
3
34
PARKER GENEALOGY.
I give and bequeath unto my son Samuel Parker & to his heirs
and assigns all that Tenement that he now dwelleth on the which I
bought of Edward Taylor, all which I gave to my s*^ son Samuel
Parker by a Deed of Gift formerly and do now confirm the same to
him by this my Last Will and Testament which is the whole I intend
him as his Part and Portion of my Estate
I give and bequeath unto my daughter Mary Poole over & above
what she hath already had, one brass pan, and my best feather bed
with all the appurtenances thereunto belonging ; and also I will and
bequeath to her that six acres of meadow called Reedy meadow or
else thirty pounds in passable money to her by me Executour within
three years after mine and my wife's decease —
I Give and bequeath to each of my Grandchildren five shillings to
be paid unto them out of my Estate by my Executour when they
shall come to full age —
I do give and bequeath unto my son Ebenezer Parker all my
housing and Lands where I now dwell together with that thi'ee acres
of meadow called the Wiggwam meadow together also with all the
Rest of my Estate whatsoever or wheresoever it may be found that
is not herein willed or otherwise before this legally conveyed : more-
over I do herein Nominate and Appoint, Constitute and ordain my
s*^ son Ebenezer Parker to be sole Executour of this my last will and
Testament and to see it fulfilled in every part according to my true
Intent therein : and if my said Executour fail or ixfuse to pay to my
wife Mary according to this my Will, Then my Will is that my
brother Nathaniel Parker shall have full power to make Sale of any
part of my lands for payment of the Same —
And I do hereby utterly revoke, make Null and void all and every
other former W^ill or Wills by me heretofore made and do own
allow, Ratifie and Confirm This to be my Will and my last Will and
Testament —
In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand and Seal the day
and year first above written.
^Ur\ cx/n a(^ ^Pa/^/i^i^h,
Their children were :
3. John Parker, b. Aug. 3, 1664; m. Deliverance Dodge of
Beverly.
Samuel Parker, b. Oct. 24, 1666 ; m. Martha Brown of Cambridge.
See Appendix.
Elizabeth Parker, b. June, 1668; m. Nov. 17, 1685, Samuel
Cowdrey, son of Nathaniel Cowdrey of Reading. See Appendix.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 35
Mary Parker, m. Samuel Poole of Boston.
Sarah Parker, b. Feb. 20, 1672 ; d. Oct. 2, 1673.
Hananiah Parker, b. Nov. 2, 1674; d. Jan. 3, 1677.
Ebenezer Parker, b. Feb. 13, 1676; m. Rebecca Newhall of
Reading. See Appendix.
Hananiah Parker, b. April 30, and d. Aug. 7, 16S1.
Of the above children only one is taken up in full in this
genealogy, that is the eldest, John Parker, who removed to
Lexington, and was the ancestor of all the Lexington Parkers.
This volume was originally designed for the posterity of John
Parker only, but much relating to other branches has been
added as an Appendix. In the Appendix can be found a
brief history of the other children of Lt. Hananiah Parker.
3. John Parker (Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Lt. Hana-
niah and Elizabeth (Browne) Parker, was b. in Reading, Aug.
3, 1664. His life covered the period of the earl}^ growth of the
colonies, the hardships, wars and rugged life of the times.
A preserved record, now at Lexington, is in his own hand-
writing and reads: "John Parker and his wife Deliverance
were Married the 2 : of October 1689." She was Deliverance
Dodge of Beverly, dau. of John and Sarah, and b. 10 or 15
March, 1661.* The}'- settled soon after marriage on a part of
the original Dea. Thomas Parker place in the centre of the
town, which farm adjoined that of Lt. Hananiah Parker.
Three of John Parker's deeds made at this period are pre-
served at Lexington. In 1699 he purchased of John Poole
land on the north end of the Great Pond, "Lake Quana-
powit." In 1705 he added 21 acres to his estate by a purchase
of Mr. Francis Smith "for a valuable sum of money." This
land lay upon the bounds of Lynn and Reading. He sold to
his cousin "Nathaniel Parker of Redding Jr. Cooper," 11
*The grandfather, Richard Dodge, must have been well known bv Dea.
Thomas Parker. He was in Salem in 1638, removed to Beverly, where he
was one of the founders of the Beverly Church. He had son John, b. in Eng-
land, who by wife Edith had children Deliverance, i66i,John, 1662, Josiah,
1665, Sarah, 1667, Ebenezer, 1670, Mary, 1672, and Andrew, 1676. This
accounts for the introduction of the names Andrew, Josiah and others into the
Parker family,— from the brotherly affection which the wife Deliverance
Parker cherished.
36 PARKER GENEALOGY.
acres, "which land was laid out to Dea. Thomas Parker of
Redding and now in possession of John Parker." We observe
by the deed that it was "in the fourth year of the Reign of our
Soveraign Lady Queen Anne."
John Parker was constable of Reading.* The following is
a copy of one of his preserved receipts. In these olden times
the constable was a prominent factor, holding the same posi-
tion of power as the deputy sheriff of to-day, except that his
powers were confined to his own town. The people were
very careful whom they chose for this honorable position, and
the fact that John Parker was constable of Reading is a strong
voucher for his integrity, force of character and popularity :
"Charles Towne. y^ ii May, 1693.
"Then Reed, of Mr. John Parker, Constable of Reading, the
sums of Fifty Nine pounds Twelve shillings in full of s*^ Townes
Last Assessments. I say Received
by me Hump^ Parsons."
It must have been a hard blow to the family to learn of the
death of the son Hananiah, who, a promising lad of 18, was
in the Annapolis expedition of 1710, and died of the prevailing
* Before removing to Lexington he sold his homestead estate to his neighbor
and friend, Jonathan Poole. The record is at Lexington in the form of a
simple agreement, as follows : —
"This draft of bargaine made this twentieth day of May Ano. Dom. 1712
betwene John Parker of Reding in the County of Midd'^. in New England.
Joyner on the one part and Jonathan Poole of y" same towne yeoman on the
other part witnesseth that y" s'' John Parker hath sold and doth promas to
make alination of to s'' Poole all his whomsted with building on it consisting
of 23 acres more or less of upland and medo land bound west by y" land of
Capt. Herbert decesed, northardly by Thomas Weston, southardly by s'' Capt.
Herbert decesed and e s'' Jonathan Poole, estardly by Timothy Willard, s''
Poole and also 3 acres of medo joining to y-' south side of s'' Jonathan Pooles
and called y" cranbery meddo. — And the s'' Jonathan Poole doth ablidg him-
self to pay for s' Land two hundred and ninety five pounds in mony or bills
of credit of this province."
This record is very valuable in more than one way. It shows to us where
John Parker lived in Reading, which proves the location of the first Parker
homestead, that of Dea. Thomas Parker — see Hananiah Parker's will. Capt.
Herbert lived on the spot where now stands the Wakefield Town Hall, where
Rev. Samuel Haugh and Rev. John Brock preceded him. Jonathan Poole's
house was where is now the Wakefield Rattan Factory. Thus we find the
true location of our Reading ancestors, and from the above record we know
into whose hands the homestead passed.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 37
sickness 171 1. But with the remaining three sons, Andrew,
Josiah and John, Jr., the parents removed to Lexington (then
called Cambridge Farms) in the spring of 17 12. He settled
upon the same homestead still occupied by his descendants.
The history of the town of Lexington makes mention of him
by saying :—
"John Parker was chosen fence viewer in 1714 and tythingman in
1715 and '21. He must have been a man of dignity of character, for
in seating the meeting-house, 1731, where they had reference to age,
honor and property, they placed him in the second seat below with
Ensign John Mason, Thomas Mead and other highly respectable
citizens."
The following is the copy of a precept used by John Parker
and is still preserved among the old family papers at Lexing-
ton : —
" To the Constable of Redding which was in the yeare 1692.
Whearas James Ribboe and Samuel Merrow do refuse or neglect to
pay their proportion of the Rate Committed unto you which was
made the 25 Novem : 1692 which was the first part of the thirty
thousand pounds. Therefore, this is in the Majestys names to re-
quire you to make Distrese upon the goods of James Ribboe for his
refusing or neglecting to pay his proportion of the above s'' Rate
which is twenty shillings, and of the goods of Samuell Merrow for
his refusing or neglecting to pay his proportion of the above s*^ Rate,
which is ten shillings, which goods are to be apprized as the law
directs and to be Sould, and to return the overplus to the owner if
there any be, and if goods cannot be found to pay the above s** sums,
then you are to seize the body of James Ribboe, and the body of
Samuell Merrow, and commit them to the County Goal there so to
be kept without bail or mainprize until payment shall be made with
all due charges
Witnesseth our hands and seals in Redding
this first of March, 1693/4
John Browne j selectmen"
John Bacheller )
The ancient deeds of purchase, still preserved at the Lexing-
ton homestead, show that "John Parker, Sen% Joiner, of
Redding, purchased in Cambridge Farms" one small mansion
house and sixty acres of land, bounded southerly on Water-
town line, elsewhere by Daniel White, John Stone and Thomas
38 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Cutler, and of Thomas Cutler he bought "a certain messuage
or Tenement lying and being scituate in Cambridge, In the
Farms, containing one mansion house, barn and about one
hundred and ninety acres of land." These aggregated 250
acres, and the total cost was four hundred and sixty pounds.*
Mrs. Deliverance Parker died in Lexington March 10,
1 7 18. The records concerning his second marriage have not
been found, but we know her name was Sarah. All the
children were by the first wife.
John Parker was a joiner. He built a shop in which he
made from wood necessary farm implements, furniture and
useful things. This trade he taught his sons, and they in
turn from generation to generation. The Parkers in Lexing-
ton were all skilful woodworkers.
John Parker made the following agreements with his sons in place of a will :
" Know all men bj these presents, that we John Parker and Andrew Parker
Do fully & freely Consent and agree that Josiah & John Parker Jr. or their
heirs or assigns shall have full Right and Lawfull authority to Take, Emproove
& Enjoy for Ever all y"' Moovable Estate Belonging to John Parker my Hon"''''
father of what kind or nature soever it may be and we likewise promise that
we will not either directly or indirectly keep or Conseal a.ny thing or things
that shall or may at any time appear to be y" s'' John Parkers movable Estate
upon Penalty of Paying all Damages that may arise by our withholding any
of y" Goods ofy* nature above s''.
"Except all such movables as are needed for house keeping which at y«
Decease of our Hon""^"' : Parents : John Parker & Sarah his wife are to be
Equally Divided Betwen Andrew: Josiah & John Parker or their heirs.
" as Witness our Hands and Seals this fourth Day of January 1739-40
David Mead John Parker
Jabez Kendall Andrew Parker."
JOHN PARKER'S POWER OF ATTORNEY TO HIS SONS.
"Know all men by these Presents that I John Parker of Lexington In the
County of Middlesex in his Majesties Province of y Massachusetts Bay in
New England Joyner Have assigned, ordained & made & in my stead and
place have put & Constituted my dutifuU Sons Josiah Parker of said Lexing-
ton yeoman & John Parker of Framingham in the County & Province afores'*
yeoman to be my true & Lawfull attorneys for me & in my name & to my use,
to all, sue, fee, levey, require, recover, & receive of all & every person or
persons whatsoever, all & every such debts, rents & sums of money as are
now due unto me or which at any day or days, time or times hereafter shall
* In 1728, however, John Parker sold a farm of one mansion house, one barn,
two outhouses and 100 acres of land to Mr. Joseph Brooks of Weston. Amount
paid, 600 pounds. It bordered the Watertown line and was in part the land
formerly bought from the Cutlers.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 39
John Parker died Jan. 22, 1741, aged 78. The record of
the death of Mrs. Sarah Parker has not been found. All the
children were born in Reading, although their record of birth
is found upon the town records of both Reading and Lexington.
Their children were :
Sarah Parker, b. July 5, and d. July 9, 1690.
Hananiah Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1691 ; d. 171 1, on service of Qtieen
Anne's War, while in the Annapolis, N. S., Expedition. See his
letter, page 40.
4. Andrew Parker, b. Feb. 14, 1693 ; m. Sarah Whitney of Lex-
ington.
5. JosiAH Parker, b. April 11, 1694; nri. Anna Stone of Lexington.
Mary Parker, b. Dec. 4, 1695 ; d. 1709, aged 14.
John Parker, b. and d. 1696.
Edie Parker, b. Aug. 19, 1697 ; d. 1709, aged 12.
6. John Parker, b. Nov. 8, 1703 ; m. Experience Clayes of Fram-
ingham.
The following letter, well written, is among the family
papers at Lexington. Hananiah was but eighteen when he
wrote this letter. It shows his sturdy bringing up, and we
can well imagine the parents anxiously awaiting the return of
be due owing, belonging or appertaining unto me by any manner of ways or
means whatsoever : Giving and Granting unto my said attorneys, by the
tenner of these presents, my full & whole power, strength & authority in &
about the premises & upon the receipt of any such debts rents & sums of
money afore S' acquittances, or other discharges for me & in my name to
make, seal & deliver, and all & every other act & acts, thing & things, dence
& dences in the Law whatsoever, needful & necessary to be done, in or about
the premises, for the recovery of any such debts, rents & sums of money
goods or chattels, for me and in my name, to do execute & perform as fully,
largely, and amply in every respect, to all Intents, Constructions & Purposes
as I myself might or could do if I were pei'sonally present ratifying allowing
and holding firm & stable all & whatsoever my said attorneys shall lawfully
do, or cause to be done in or about the execution of the same by virtue of
these presents thereby Revoking all former powers by me given to any person
or persons whatsoever. In Wittness whereof I have hereunto sett my hand &
seal the sixth day of August Anno Domini 1740
"Signed Sealed & Delivered
In Presence of A P ^ f a ,,n,
James Clayes* /j 0 h'Tl ^ (^ l\ ^^
John Jones " -^
*John Parker of Framingham had married Experience Clayes, niece of
James Clayes of Framingham, whose signature appears on the deed.
40 PARKER GENEALOGY.
their strong and promising son, and with him to remove to
Lexington. But their hopes were never realized, for he died
of the prevailing sickness sometime in 171 1, having been kept
in garrison after the capitulation.
" From Annapolis Royal March y^ S'** 1710.
" Ever Honored father and mother after my Deuty Remembered
to you and to my Grandfather and Grandmother : and my Love to
all my brothers and all my friends — Hoping theas few lines of my
Love Will find you in as Good health as I am at this present Writt-
ing, Blessed be God for it. And this is to let you understand that I
Recived youer Second Letter, and that is a verey sickly time with us
and we have Lost above Three Scor men that belong to New Eng-
land and thear is above fifty men sick. Barnabas Cook is sick ;
Daniel Dove is sick ; William Hopkins is sick ; Benjamin Johnson
is amost well of his wounds but he has had a verey bad sweling upon
his thigh above his wounds but we hope he will doe well.
S'' Charles* has lost 11 men out of his Redgement. Coronal
Whiting has lost 16 or 17 and he has 24 men sick'. One man Dyed
out of our company : he belonged to Wobone, his name was Robert
Pierce.
Johnathan Eaton is verey sick. But we hope to see you in a little
time, they that are living, but if we stay hear much Longer their will
but few of us see New England, but S' Charles sales he will carrey
us home as soon as y^ govenur corns : we hope to see you in a month
or six weaks If we Live — for Sir Charles is a wearey of this place
and amost Discouraged and wants to get hom as much as we do.
Out of all New England men thair is but 40 men fit for Deuty, and
thair is hardly men Enough to berrey y^ dead and look after y* sick
for we berrey 2 or 3 men Everey Night : for we berrey them in
Night becaus y* french Should not know how many men we loos and
we berrey them out of y^ buring place down by y* water side below
y* fort and spread y"^ ground leavel over them that they might not be
seen. I have had a verey Easey time this winter for I have been
freed from Deuty to Look after Benjamin Johnson and I have had
my health as well as ever I had in my life for which I have caus to
be thankfull.
I would not have you be Discouraged nor Discontented nor think
y^ time Long for I hope to see you Quick, for as soon as the Govenur
coms hear S"" Chas'les sayes he will carrey us home. We hear that
thair is men a coming from New York to Releave us.
* Four regiments were raised in New England, two of which were com-
manded by Sir Charles Hobby and Colonel Tailer of Massachusetts.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 4I
But No mor at Present for I have No News to send you.
So I Remain Youer Deutyfull Son
Hananiah Parker.
But I desier youer prayers for me that I may be kept from sin &
sicknes beeing in a dangerous place for them both: for thair is
nothing but wickedness carried on hear, cursing and swearing in
everey mans mouth."
4. Andrew 'P2iT\iQV ( yohn^^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of
John and Deliverance (Dodge) Parker, was b. in Reading,
Feb. 14, 1693 ; was at the age of 19 when he removed with his
parents and brothers to Lexington in 17 12. He was favored
with a sound and vigorous training in his youth. He was well
bestowed physically for the mammoth task of the early pio-
neer, and he entered into the work heartily. He married in
Lexington at the age of 27, Aug. 2, 1720, Sarah, bap. April
22, 1703, dau. of Isaiah and Sarah Whitney of Lexington.*
She was third in order in a family of seven children. Nov. 4,
1724, they made their peace with the Church, when three of
their children were bap. They were admitted to the Church
in 1728.
He was a husbandman and woodworker, thus succeeding
his father in the occupation which soon became well known
as a characteristic talent of the Lexington Parkers. He was
energetic and industrious. He was a man ot strong physique,
*The grandfather, Eleazer Whitney, was settled at Cambridge Farms in
1693, where he d. in 1697. The Whitneys, however, did not long remain in
Lexington.
"Although the Whitney name has become common in almost every town
in the country, most of this family are descended from John and Elinor
Whitney of Watertown. The children of this ancestor, though eight in num-
ber, were all sons, six of whom had families of their own. Five of the children
were b. in England before he, John Whitney, aged 30, embarked from Lon-
don, in April, 1635, for N. E. in the ships Elizabeth and Ann, Roger
Cooper master. His early admission as a freeman, his early elections as a
selectman by the town, and constable of Watertown by the court, show that
he occupied a respectable social position." — ,lVaferfo-,.vn Genealogies.
Our Eleazer Whitney, father of Isaiah, was doubtless the one given in
Watertown Genealogies as son of Thomas Whitney of Watertown, and b.
April 7, 1662, twin brother of Elnathan (as recorded on page 643). This
Thomas was son of John and Elinor Whitney and was b. in England 1629,
and m. in Watertown, Mary Kedall (or Kettle), dau. of John of Watertown.
Therefore Sarah Whitney's ancestry ran thus : Sarah,'' Isaiah,* Eleazer,^
Thomas,^ John."
42 PARKER GENEALOGY.
as tradition claims that he was of very large size and power-
fully built. He was a kind father and was attentive to the
physical and spiritual needs of his large family.
Andrew Parker was chosen fence viewer of the town at
"the meeting of y'' freeholders and other inhabitants orderly
convened on y"" 9th of March 1725," as the Lexington records
attest. Soon after this he was honored with the rank of con-
stable. He thus rendered his town the same public service
which his father had served in Reading. It was a position of
much higher dignity and social standing then than now. His
wife Sarah died Dec. 18, 1774, ^g^d 70. She was the mother
of 12 children. He survived her.
Andrew Parker lived in the reigns of five English sover-
eigns, was seven years of age when the year 1700 came, and
yet lived to see the first armed expedition of British soldiers
against the colonists put to rout at Concord and Lexington,
June 17, 1775, and this accomplished partly by his own family.
As he on occasion gathered his children, his ever increasing
grandchildren and inquisitive great-grandchildren at the old
homestead around that open fireplace filled with blazing logs,
what a story he must have oft related concerning the hard
struggle for existence, but final development of the colonies
together with that of their own allied families ! He must have
remembered events before 1700, knew all about Queen Anne's
War against the French and Indians, 1702 to 17 13, and the
capture of Port Royal, N. S., from the French, in which war
his brother Hananiah served and died. It was in his time that
the devout colonists were obliged to carry their guns to Church
and into the fields when at work, and have them ever ready
to fight off" the prowling savage. He could tell all about the
Georges, the Louisburg expedition of 1744-48, and the last
great French and Indian war of 1754 ^^ '63. At the time of
his death, which occurred April 8, 1776, his great-grand-
children numbered over a. score. He thus died at the age of 83.
G^njrc^ jai7t^^
Their children were :
7. Sarah Parker, b. Feb. 9, 1721 ; m. June 21, 1739, Jabez
Kendall of Woburn.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
43
8. Jonas Parker, b. Feb. 6, 1722; m. 1745, Lucy Monroe of
Lexington.
9. Amos Parker, b. July 27, 1723 ; m. 1745, Anna Curwen Stone
of Lexington.
Elizabeth Parker, bap. Aug. 22, 1725 ; d. young.
10. Thomas Parker, bap. Dec. 24, 1727; m. March 8, 1750,
Jane Parrot, then of Chelmsford.
Abigail Parker, bap. July 27, 1729.
11. Lucy Parker, bap. April 4, 1731 ; m. May 24, 1750, Joshua
Mead of Lexington.
Elizabeth Parker, bap. June 22, 1735.
12. Andrew Parker, bap. April 16, 173S ; m. Nov. 29, 1759,
Abigail Jennison of Weston.
13. Keziah Parker, bap. June i, 1740; m. June i, 1759, Joseph
Wyman of Lunenburg.
Ebenezer Parker, bap. Feb. 28, 1742 ; probably d. 1743.
Mary Parker, bap. Oct. 21, 1744.
By a deed from father to son, dated 30th April, 1728, it is
evident the Lexington estate was then located as the following
plan shows :
' JoHNPAfiKcirs Land
•^ A
\
"^
J
.AT'
Josi«H PiRHEB's Law)
■5
"?v.s^t'"«is VMa^ — \4o\a U\e 'VycoA .
'^\
\
\
1
JOMII Pm«I*»
\
1
ORtNADO INOLMIO
1;
i_
§;
1
1, 1, ,
1
'""Bti7."Cimt»
5. Lt. Josiah 'Pdct^^r (John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), b.
in Reading, April 11, 1694, son of John and Deliverance
(Dodge) Parker. He seems to have inherited the sturdy
qualities and industry of his father, the assessor, constable,
44
PARKER GENEALOGY.
joiner and farmer of Reading. He was i8 when his parents
and three brothers removed with him from his native town to
Lexington in 1712. He worked with his brothers upon the
new farm, also in his father's shop, where the latter taught
his sons in making all kinds of wooden implements, wagons
and furniture. He was of use to his father in many ways,
notably in surveying and proving the bounds of his estate,
and in the same manner to his neighbors and townsmen,
who needed such service. When he had been but two years
in Lexington he was one of the three chosen by "y^ free-
holders" of the town to "estimate and fix the boundary line"
between Lexington and her mother town, Cambridge.
He of course belonged to the military company, in the days
when soldiers were scarce and the Indians and French some-
times too common for the comfort of the English settlers.
Hananiah Parker, his brother, of much promise, had already
perished in the Port Royal Expedition. Loving memories of
him doubtless inspired the three remaining brothers to more
active training and in anticipation of coming troubles. Josiah
Parker soon became "dark" of the company. His duties
were to call together the soldiers, keep the attendance and
"fine" records and post notices of the coming drill day.*
Among the preserved records we find such slips as the fol-
lowing, which were required to be published in a public place
a certain time before the occurrence of the event named
therein :
" Lexington Sep'™ : y^ 16"" : 1729 : Was Appointed & Observed as
a training Day By Cap' : Joseph Bowman & y* Major Part of his
Company : & Before s*^ Captain Dismised his Company he ordered
*An authority writing upon this subject says :
"The 'clarke' of each company knew everybody, and was an important
functionary. He kept account and saw that soldiers were supplied with one
pound powder, 20 bullets, one fathom of match, priming wire, worm and
scourers, muskets, sword, bandeleer and rest, and that live coals Avere ready
at all times; he watched after the pikeman's spear, that it was bright, that his
headpiece and corslet were well cared for. Should a man come to his notice
who was without a musket, he would take him to the surveyor-general, where
arms could be procured with a ticket, which the surveyor would turn over to
the town treasurer, who would pay for the purchases and charge them to the
man, and make him work it out. Every man must be ready at the alarm and
should any fail to respond it was his duty to so report and the excuse for the
same, which, if not deemed important, the delinquent was heavily fined."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 45
& Appointed tuesday y* twenty first Day of Octo'"' : Next Insuing to
Be Observed & attended as a training Day in s*^ town & also Pub-
lished & Declared y* Same at y*^ head of his Company.
" Attest JosiAH Parker Claik of y* Company above s**."
He m. in Lexington, Dec. 8, 1718, Anna Stone, one of the
four daughters of John and Rachel (Shepherd) Stone of Lex-
ington. She was b. in Lexington, Nov. 27, 1694. Her
father was a corporal ; was the son of Dea. Samuel and grand-
son of Dea. Gregory Stone of Cambridge, who came from
England in 1635 and was the ancestor of a large issue of his
name in America.*
With which to begin his married life his father, John Parker,
Esq., gave him " towards his portion" 55 acres of land. The
deed of gift also reads : "for diverse causes and considerations
me hereunto moving, and more especially for the good affec-
tion I bear my well beloved son Josiah Parker of Lexington."
They were admitted to the church Aug. 13, 1719. His
first service as assessor of the town of Lexington originated
from the choice of " y*" freeholders in meeting assembled,"
March 6, 1726, they granting him besides the honor and work
of his position a yearly salary of 2 pounds, 8 shillings, 4
pence! Chas. Hudson, Esq., in his History of the Town of
Lexington, says :
" Lt. Parker was one of the most popular men in town for many
years. He filled almost every town office. He filled the office of
town clerk four years. He was an assessor 19 years from 1726 to
175^, with occasional intermissions, and selectman seven years."
He discharged the duties of these offices with ability. He
was an excellent penman and good grammarian, and his
accurately and neatly kept records are of great historical
value. At his old homestead, descended five generations
down, are still in perfect preservation some of Lt. Parker's
interesting papers and in fact some town records besides.
"Josiah Parker's Book, 1738," is worth perusing. Take for
*Dea. Samuel Stone was the fourth child of Dea. Gregory. He m. June 7,
1655, Sarah Stearns of Watertown, dau. of Isaac, an original proprietor of
Watertovvn. They had eight children, the fourth of whom was John Stone as
before named. — Wateriown Genealogies.
46 PARKER GENEALOGY.
instance this specimen, showing the terms used in manual by-
all the fighting men of Lexington, somewhat out of date at
present, but showing the process necessary to wield the flint-
lock orun :
"Joyne your right hand to your F.* Present your F. Rest your
F. Cock your F. Present — Fire. Recover your F. Half cock
your F. Handle your primer. Prime. Shut your pan. Cast
about to charge. Handel your carthrige. Open your caithrige.
Charge with carthrige. Draw your rammers. Shorten your ram-
mers. Put them in the barrels. Ram down your carthridge.
With-draw 3'our rammers. Shorten your rammers. Return your
rammers. Cast ofl' your F. Your right hand under the Lock.
Poise your F. Shoulder your F. Rest your F. Ground your F.
Take up your F. Rest your F. Club your F. Rest your F.
Secure your F. Shoulder your F."
May y^ first, 1744.
Then settled y" Dignity of OflScers in Colonel Phipps Ridgement.
Captains. Lieutenants.
Saml. Green. John Tainter.
Benj. Reed. Saml. Hendly.
Saml. Livermore. Josiah Parker.
Capt. Hayes. John Beal.
Capt. Codman. Thom, Symms.
Capt. Fuller. Wm. Hide.
Capt. Kendrick. Jos. Bryant.
Capt. Brooks. Robert Mordock.
Capt. Dana. Benj. Blany.
Stephen Hall.
This was the year previous to the Louisburg Expedition of
1745. It is very probable that he and his company saw
service in this war, and perhaps accompanied his son John,
who went all through this expedition. And here is a note
made by the painstaking captain, ambitious of perfecting his
company drill :
" Reare half files, double the depth of your right flank. Left half
files of left flank face to the left about. Front half files of left flank
face to the left. Reare half flies of right flank face to the right —
march 10 paces — the whole face to the right — march 10 paces — face
to the rig^ht."
*ln the corner of the page is written : " N. B. — that F. stands for firelock.'
PARKER GENEALOGY. 47
Such matter as this lies mixed with charges made for
mechanical labor and farm produce, for all the family knew
how to wield a good many kinds of tools :
" 1752. To a harrow and axeltreeing your cart — to mending your
Cvder-mill — to a chees mill — to making 3 keelers and a churn — to
making a coffin — to 6 pair of Bed Screws at JE7-10S a pair old tenor
—to a beetel and how handle and sithe snath — to my oxen to Cam-
bridge and 3 Cartouch Boxes. — to my oxen to plough in your Rie."
Lit. Josiah Parker must have possessed a strong constitution,
physically as well as mentally, which enabled him to victorious-
ly combat as he did the many obstructions in the road of pro-
gress of his day. In addition to his varied abilities, he was a
successful farmer and the honored father of a large and noble
family of children. He d. in Lexington, Oct. 9, 1756, aged
62. His widow Anna, who survived him four years, made
her will May i, 1760. She d. Sept. 8 of the same year. She
bequeathed a part of her estate to each surviving child, men-
tioning "My Beloved Sons Josiah, John, Thaddeus & Joseph
Parker," and "My Beloved Daughters Anna Smith and
Deliverance Monroe," and made her sons John and Joseph
Parker executors.
ycrftcUh JcmJl
Their children were :
14. Anna Parker, b. Sept. 9, 1719 ; m. Benjamin Smith of Lex-
ington.
15. Deliverance Parker, b. May 28, 1721 ; m. Marrett Monroe
of Lexington.
Mary Parkeh, b. July 3, 1723; was living March 2, 1738, when
she placed her signature on her uncle John Parker's bond. But as
no family records exist which give any further mention of her il is
practically certain that she died in early life.
16. Josiah Parker, b. April 11, 1725 ; m. Mary Monroe, then of
Weston.
Lois Parker, b. Aug. 20, 1727; d. July, 1735.
17. JoHNT Parker, b. July 13, 1729 ; m. Lydia Moore of Lexington.
18. Thaddeus Parker, b. Sept. 2, 1731 ; m. Mary Reed of Lex-
ington.
19. Joseph Parker, b. Nov. 28, 1733; m. Eunice Hobbs of
Weston.
48 PARKER GENEALOGY.
6. John Parker CJohn^^ Hananiah,^ Tkofnas^), son and
last child of John and Deliverance (Dodge) Parker, b. in Read-
ing, Nov. 8, 1703, removed in 1712 with family to Lexington ;
removed about 1730 to Shrewsbury; m. in Shrewsbury, Feb.
18, 1731, Experience Clayes of Framingham, dau. of Peter and
Mary (Preston) Clay es. Her parents came from Salem. She
was b. in Framingham, Nov. 19, 1702. John and Experience
Parker were admitted to the Church in Shrewsbury 1732.
" The only surviving brother of Mrs. Parker, Peter Claves, d. in
1736, and her father desired them to return to Framingham and take
the home place (the Col. David Brewer place, now James Fenton's),
and Jan. 6, 1737, gave them a deed of the same, conditioned that
said John and Experience should support said Clayes and wife dur-
insf their lives and give them christian burial. The estate corn-
to o
prised the home lot of 8| acres and buildings and 55 acres lying on
both sides of the road from Caleb Bridges to the meeting-bouse.
Peter Claves d. 1739, and John Parker sold part of the home lot and
buildings to James and John Clayes and built where is now the
house of the late Dr. Peter Parker." — Temple.
The ancestral line of John Parker is clearly proved b}'^ two
weather-stained sheets at the homestead in Lexington of Mr.
John Parker, "'joiner of Lexington," in which he makes men-
tion "My dutiful son John Parker of Framingham, yeoman."
K treatise on religion, in book form, is now in preservation and
contains on the inside cover sheet these words: "From John
Parker of Lexington to John Parker of Framingham."*
He and his wife Experience were admitted to the Church in
Framingham 1738; he was selectman; was a member of the
Framingham company of alarm soldiers, commanded by Capt.
Henry Fames ; was an overseer of the workhouse and of the
poor ; d. in Framingham, Feb. 23, 1783. His wife Experience
d. Oct. 13, 1780. He was unfortunate with his family, as it
seems onlv two out of seven children survived. His will is
preserved among the Cambridge Probate records. In it he
mentions son Peter Parker and dau. Submit Bent.
^ ^ofi/n. joi/yxt
6ir
* '■ Mrs. Fay of Framingham has a Bible which once belonged to John Parker
of Lexington. It bears his name and the date 1709." — Barry s History of
Framinffham.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 49
Their children were :
John Parjcer, b. in Shrewsbury, Jan. 28, 1732.
Experience Parker, b. in Shrewsbury, Oct. S, 1733.
Hananiah Parker, bap. in Shrewsbury, Sept. 21, 1735.
Abigail Parker, b. in Shrewsbury, Dec. i, 1736.
20. Peter Parker, b. in Framingham, Oct. 3, 1738; m. Ruth
Eaton of Framingham.
21. Submit Parker, b. in Framingham, Dec. 3, 1742 ; m. Thomas
Bent, Jr., of Framingham.
Nathan Parker, bap. in Framingham, March 2, 1746.
7. Sarah Parker (Andrew,^ yokn,^ Hananiah^^
Thomas^), dau. of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, b.
Feb. 9, 1721, m. June 21, 1739, Jabez Kendall of Woburn,
b. Nov. 26, 1717, son of Jabez and Rebecca Kendall of that
town, but who later removed to Framingham.
The first ancestors of this family in America were Francis
and Mary (Tidd) Kendall, to whom 19 births are recorded on
the Woburn records. Their son Thomas had son Jabez, who
with wife Rebecca were the parents of the above Jabez.
Thomas, son of Thomas, removed to Lexington, and his
family, living there at this time, doubtless introduced the
Parker family to the Kendalls of Woburn. Thomas Kendall
later removed to Framingham, whither John Parker, Jr., had
settled. She was 17 years the elder of her brother Andrew
Parker, who lived in Barre, and in whose pocket diary we
find these words : " Sister Kendall Departed this life the 12 of
March 1774." He does not tell us, however, where she had
resided. She thus died at the age of 53. Few records have
been found regarding this branch of the Kendall family.
8. Jonas Parker f^^lw^r^^zy ,4 yohn,^ Hanamak^^ Thomas^ ),
son of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, b. Feb. 6, 1722,
m. in the summer of 1743 Lucy Monroe of Lexington. At
the Lexington homestead there is a large record book contain-
ing a portion of the old town records in Lt. Josiah Parker's
handwriting. It is therein entered: "Jonas Parker and Lucy
Monroe, both of Lex. were published June 30, 1745." This
is all that has been found concerning his marriage. Being
one of this worthy Monroe family, it may be taken for granted
4
50 PARKER GENEALOGY.
that she was a lady of ability and independence, and that she
probably assisted him at a later period in his remarkable de-
votion to the American cause. They made their peace with
the Church Sept. 15, 1745^ which must have shortly followed
their marriage. They removed to Holden, where he pur-
chased a farm and saw-mill, but returned to Lexington after a
few years. It is very fitting to state and very creditable to the
physical standing of the Parker family, that Jonas is credited
b}' tradition as being the strongest wrestler in the town. He
was a woodworker and farmer.
Jonas Parker was a typical Lexington minute-man. He
was tall, well built and possessed great strength. In the cele-
brated painting, "The Battle of Lexington," which hangs in
the Lexington town hall, he appears as the central figure.
As he there stands in an erect position awaiting the British
charge, the look of determination is well depicted on his
handsome face.
He lived in the centre, next house to that historic residence
where lived Rev. Jonas Clark, the patriot minister, and which
was the destination of the ride of Paul Revere. Mr. Parker,
had evidently imbibed a double portion of the Doctor's lofty
spirit. When war with England was imminent he was often
heard to say that be the consequences what they might and
let others do what they pleased, he would never run from the
enemy. He was as good as his word, — better. On the
morning of the 17th of June, 1775, having loaded his musket,
he placed his hat containing powder, wadding and bullets
between his feet in readiness for his second charge. As the
first fire from the British was harmless the Americans did not
reply. At the second volley he was wounded, and sunk upon
his knees ; in this condition he discharged his gun. The
company of patriots dispersing, his nephew, Ebenezer, who
later removed to Princeton, approached Jonas that he might
assist his uncle in retreating, but whom he saw was fulfilling
his pledge. He insisted that he better retreat with him and
thus save his life. But Jonas very forcibly replied that he
would never run from the "redcoats." Thus badly wounded,
but striving to reload his gun, he was the next moment trans-
fixed by a bayonet upon the spot where he first stood and fell.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 5 I
Too much pluck had caused his death, but what an example
he set for his fellow-citizens I
"History, Roman history," said Edward Everett, "does
not furnish an example of bravery that outshines that of Jonas
Parker." It was his most sacred wish that America should
be free and like brave Arnold of Wilkenried, history will
never forget him. The names of the eight martyrs for Ameri-
can Independence are cut deep in the granite monument which
stands upon the green ; and still deeper in the admiration of
the American people. He thus died at the age of 53. April
20, 1835, t^^ remains of these eight soldiers were removed
from their former resting-place in the grave-yard and deposited
in a vault prepared for the purpose near the base of the monu-
ment.
Their children were :
Lucy Parker, b. in Holden, Oct. 9, 1745. She was both deaf and
dumb. After the decase of her father, she chose Joshua Mead of
Waltham guardian, but soon afterwards her uncle, Thomas Parker,
Esq., of Princeton, took her into his family and providec her a
home. She lived in Princeton until her death, which occurred
Sept. 16, 1813, aged 68. She was buried at the head of the row
in the family burying-ground.
Jonas Parker, b. in Holden, March 29, 1747; d. young.
Sarah Parker, b. in Holden, Aug. 29, 1748; bap. Sept. 4, 1748;
m. Jan. 4, 1768, Ebenezei Morse of Newton ; residence unknown.
They had one son, Ebenezer Morse, Jr., of Randolph, Vt. — Morse
Memorials.
Nathan Parker, m., had dau. Abigail, and it seems he d. soon
after, as in the settlement of Mr. Jonas Parker's estate we find
these words: "Abigail, only dau. of Nathan, the eldest son," for
whom Simon Blanchard became guardian. It is not known what
became of her, but she probably removed to Billerica, and may
have been the Abigail Parker who m. in Woburn, Sept. 23, 1795,
Wm. Barnes of Woburn.
22. Eunice Parker, m. June 9, 1772, Asa Morse of Newton.
23. Jonas Parker, b. July 10, 1753; m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha
Hosley of Billerica.
24. Philemon Parker, b. 1755; m. Su/.an Stone, and removed
to Princeton and later to Vermont.
Prudence Parker, bap. April 37, 1757; was living in 1778, but
no more is known of her.
52 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Elizabeth Parker, b. 1758; bap. March iS, 1759; chose, 1778,
Joseph Farmer of Billerica as her guardian.
Polly Parker, b. Jan. 4, 1761 ; chose, 1778, Dr. Joseph Fisk of
Lexington as her guardian.
Owing to the premature death of Mr. Parker, the lamily,
largely of girls as it was, were taken into different families,
and probably some removed from tow^n, making it extremely
difficult to follow them. May future research bring to light
the history and descendants of these missing connections.
9. Amos Parker (Andrew,^ 'John^^ Hananiah,^ Thomas')^
second son of Andrew and Sarah (Whitne}') Parker, b. in
Lexington, July 24, 1723, was the first of the family to bear
the name Amos, which has since been common among all the
descendents of Andrew Parker. From the town records of
marriage intentions kept by Josiah Parker, we find that
"Amos Parker and Anna Stone were Posted December y*" 16,
1744." This shortly preceded their marriage, for they made
their peace with the church Jan. 27. 1745. A romance is
connected with Anna, which is thus preserved for us by her
grandson, Amos A. Parker, Esq., who is still living:
"Before the Revolution an Englishman came to Boston and en-
gaged in trade. He belonged to an aristocratic family in England
and was successful in business. In time he married a widow with
three children. Two children, a boy and a girl, were born unto
them. When these two children, who were named Christopher and
Anna,* wei'e eight or ten years of age, the Englishman, whose name
was Curwen, fell heir to a large estate in England by the death of an
elder brother. Thereupon he sold out in Boston, took the three
children of his wife, and left the two children of his own and returned
to England. Why he abandoned any of the children, or took those
of his wife, does not appear. What became of the boy Christopher
I know not, but the girl Anna has a history.
"A man in Lexington by the name of Isaac Stone, a well-to-do
farmer, took much of his produce to market at Boston, especially
milk. In his rounds he saw this girl Anna, and as she was a bright,
intelligent girl about 13 years old, and he having no cljikhen, infor-
mally adopted her as his daughter. She then was called Anna
Stone. She soon became a favorite in the family. In process of
* Born Oct. 21, 1726.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
53
time my grandfather, Amos Parker, married her, and after three
children were born unto them, came to Shrewsbury. This was about
1750. She died in 1799. I remember seeing her once at my father's.
She was then rather under size, but a brisk, bright, intelligent
woinan. She talked with me much and I long remembered what
she said. This visit was when she was a widow and not long before
her death. I remember when my father went to her funeral at
Shrewsbury and quite a number of things he brought home with him.
"It is said that Curwen had no children in England, and why he
left his own children and heirs and took those ot his wife who were
not his heirs is a mystery. It would seem he did not wish to have
any heirs in England ; and how a mother could consent to abandon
any of her children when abundantly able to support them, for they
were all hers, is a problem difficult to solve. Perhaps our familv
are heirs to a large estate in England, but I shall not trouble myself
about it. These facts I learn by tradition in our family, and also by
a diary kept by my uncle Frederick, which has lately fallen into my
hands, and which is now before me. In it I find these words :
"■'Widow Kent, born in Boston, married an Englishman who
died leaving her 3 children — after which by Mr. Curwen she had
Christopher and Anna, then left these 3 children and went with the
3 to England to heir a large estate — Curwen of high extraction.'
"This extract is under the date of January, 1791."
He was aged 12 and she 10 when adopted by them. She
was a charming girl, naturally attractive, and modest and
graceful in her manner. She and Amos became well ac-
quainted at school, and as her home was not far from his
he learned to appreciate her worth. She had a most charm-
ing voice, and would sing to the great delight of the family
and friends. But when urged to sing in the choir it was to
no avail, as she felt it would make jealousy in the end, and
she closely guarded against it when at Church. The Stones
had no children of iheir own and so at first they opposed the
marriage, as in this arrangement their rainbow of sunshine,
that she was, would be gone trom them. But as Anna insisted
they joined Mr. John Parker and gave them a grand wedding
for the time.
They removed from Lexington in 1745, in which year
"Amos Parker of Lexington, joiner," bought of "William
Nichols of Holden, tanner, a tract in Holden of 65 acres with
the buildings thereon." Thus he and brother Jonas were to-
54 PARKER GENEALOGY.
gether again for a few years. It seems that they remained
here until 1750, when he purchased an estate in Shrewsbury
of Mr. Isaac Stone of Lexington. This deed dated 20 of
Decem. 1750, granted Mr. Parker a farm of 100 acres, in
part the same place later owned by Dr. Amos Parker. The
amount paid was £206. To the deed are also attached the
signatures of John Hancock* and Benjamin Muzz3\ Jr., both
of Lexington. Again, by a deed dated " in the twenty-second
year of our Reign of George y® Second,'' he purchased seven
acres of Nahum Ward of Shrewsbury. They were admitted
to the Church at Shrewsbury in 1753. His brother, Andrew
Parker, Jr., although living at different times in Lexington,
Weston and Barre, visited frequently, and we find his signa-
ture attached to his brother's deeds, In addition to rearing his
large family he accumulated a goodly estate, very creditable
to his characteristic industry and prudence. At his decease
his personal estate alone was appraised at £129.
He was a man of mind, ver}^ energetic and of strong phy-
sique. Very conscientious, with a strong firm mind of his
own, and a moral, unimpeachable character, he well repre-
sented the type of the Parker family of Lexington at and
before his time. He gave his children a careful and sturdy
bringing up and they followed in his paths. While at work
he allowed no talk except such as pertained to the work itself,
for he said "Work and play cannot go together, — one spoils
Although there is not a Parker resident of Shrewstury at the present time,
there were others of the family who settled in the town much earlier than
Amos. His uncle, .John Parker, was settled in 1730; later removed to Fram-
ingham. He was followed by a distant relative, Stephen Parker, a native of
Reading, who in 1735 bought the Robins farm of 71 acres, which adjoined the
land of John Parker. Stephen remained in Shrewsbury, and of his children,
Nehemiah Parker graduated at Harvard University, and in 1770 accepted a
call as pastor from the first settlers of Hubbardston. Stephen and Amos
Parker were aware of their relationship and were also intimate friends. Amos
in 1770 purchased of Edward Parsons of Berwick, Me., 295 acres of land in
Hubbardston, and two years later he, with Mr. Nathan How of Shrewsbury,
purchased Great Farm, No. i, in Hubbardston, which made him an exceed-
ingly large landholder there. He thus provided farms for his sons.
* He must have been Rev. John Hancock, the second minister of Lexington,
a minister of high ability and influence, and the grandfather of Gov. John
Hancock, of Revolutionary fame.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 55
the other. There is time enough for each." Thus, when
not engaged, the boys joined all the more hearty in their
sports, much to the satisfaction of Mr. Parker.
Amos Parker was a home man, quiet and undemonstrative.
She, however, was not only an angel in her family, industri-
ous, careful and attentive, but was a blessing to her neighbors
and the town. She was here and there, assisting, helping or
comforting all who were needy or afflicted. She was rever-
enced by every person in Shrewsbury, and when her funeral
occurred in December, on a warm Indian Summer's day, the
church held only a part of the great assemblage. A multitude
escorted the body from the homestead to the church.
Shortly before her death she travelled horseback from Shrews-
bury to Fitzwilliam, 60 miles, when at the age of 72 ! She
Stopped one night with her son Amos Parker in Hubbardston.
Her grandson, of Fitzwilliam, who is now living, remembers
her, and well recalls her visit. What a grand satisfaction it
must have been to her to take into her lap the children of her
many children and sing to them the sweet songs of her child-
hood ! Her grandson also states that she had then the best
voice he ever heard, and remembers some of the stories which
she told him.
The family homestead in Shrewsbuiy, situated in a very excellent locality
for scenery and health, may partially account for his large family of strong
and rugged children, whose descendants are so numerous. The selection of
this locality throws credit upon the Shrewsbury ancestor, Mr. Amos Parker
of Lexington. It was a large farm of fertile land, situated just north of the
town centre. A view of 30 miles is distinctly seen and seven distinct towns
meet the eye, Marlborough, Northborough, Southborough, Westborough, Hop
kinton, Framingham and Shrewsbury. Amos Parker was also a 'joiner," a
trade which he learned of his father in Lexington. A part of the front side of
his original Shrewsbury home, built in 1750, is still well preserved. It includes
the front door, the large antique latch and door cap, and is doing service as
the front part of the continuous row of sheds which runs from house to barn.
The house was rich in old-fashioned furniture, much of which still exists,
scattered among his descendants. Around the open fireplace we can well
imagine the times past at this homestead where halted many who, emigrating
westward, sought the advice and knowledge of Mr. Parker. Here his brothers
Thomas and Andrew often visited, before and after making their final settle-
ments in Princeton and Barre. The farm is now smaller than formerly,
houses having been erected on the east part. The appearance of the build-
ings is as they were when the estate was owned by Mr. HoUis Parker. The
place is now carried on by Mr. Samuel Allen.
56 PARKER GENEALOGY.
The following is taken from an interesting letter written by
his youngest son, Rev. Frederick Parker, at Canterbury, N.
H., 1798, regarding the famil}^ It also related to the death
of his brother Isaac Parker.
"At Portland, Bro. Isaac (with Br. Hollis, who accompanied
him) walking with me feelingly observed the cause of gratitude for
the prosperity of our family — he recounted to my fixed attention from
what small beginnings the estate arose, the difficulties of dry years —
a broken leg — and Sir I. Stone — but notwithstanding both our
parents live with their 9 children — the brothers especially all pro-
vided for well to live, men of a pretty good share of sense and sound
constitutions and ' no very mean one he said among them all,' that a
xvhole family should make out so v\^ell and be so creditable and pros-
perous he thought rather singular. I know not why I write these
things, unless because I intend to write not a short letter and 'tis
much easiest to write upon those things which fancy is most busy in
conjuring up to view. — Well do I remember the scene when I first
knew sorrow, viz : at the death of our honored Father — to Isaac's
lot it fell to be sitting by him, wiping from his brows the damp of
death when he died — that night I slept or rather talked with him for
late it was before we closed our eyes — He believed, he said, that our
honoured Father was a man of real Religion^ and one reason he
particularly mentioned his often having overheard him in secret
prayer ; a hearty strong man in his day ; went forward in his work
and said 'Come boys' or at other times 'Follow me.' In a work
infinitely more important we must sooner or later all 'follow' him to
that land of spirits from which there is no return."
Out of ten children nine grew to maturity, the oldest and
youngest being daughters, while all of the seven sons were in
the Revolutionary War, more or less, except the youngest.
He was the common ancestor of very numerous descendants,
and these have won worthy laurels for themselves and their
ancestors. He d. Dec. 23, 1790, at the age of 68 years.
The widow x\nna d. Nov. 18, 1799, at the age of 73.
Their children were :
25. Anna Parker, b. in Holden, Oct. 6, 1746: m. Dea. Jonas
Stone of Shrewsbury.
26. Amos Parker, b. in Holden, Sept. 26, 174S ; m. Lucy Robin-
son of Barre.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 57
27. Isaac Parker, b. July 15, 1750; m. Margery Maynard of
Westborough.
28. HoLLis Parker, b. Oct. 2, 1752; m. Louisa Bragg of Royal-
ston.
29. Elisha Parker, b. Dec. 31, 1754; m. Sally Baker of West-
borough.
30. Ephraim Parker, b. Oct. 4, 1757; m. Abigail Baker of
Royalston.
31. Nahum Parker, b. March 4, 1760; m. Mary Deeth of Gerry
(now Phillipston).
32. Frederick Parker, b. March 4, 1762; m. Susan Foster of
Canterbury, N. H.
Betsey Parker, b. March iS. 1764. When but a child of towards
three years of age, she one day went into the field wherein her
father, Amos, was mowing. She stepped towards him, and
speaking, picked some wild flowers, saying " Pretty flowers," and
then went into the house and died. This occurred Aug. 20, 1766.
This was a sad blow to the family, who loved their daughter
dearly, and it also touched a tender chord in Mr. Parker's nature.
Ever afterward in mowing and coming to this spot, he Would stop,
lean on his scythe, and with downcast countenance shed a tear, then
turn around and leave that corner of the field to grow as it would.
He held too sacred a feeling for those flowers to ever disturb them.
Betsey Parker, b. March 23, 1769; m. Amos Whitney of Wor-
cester. They were farmers and lived northwest of the village.
They had no issue.
10. Thomas Parker (Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas^), third son of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker,
was baptized in Lexington, Dec. 24, 1727 ; m. in Lexington,
by Rev. Ebenezer Bridge, March 8, 1750, Jane Parrot, then
of Chelmsford, b. 1729. Toward the opening of the Revolu-
tionary War many records are found regarding him. He took
an active interest in his country's welfare, being, like all his
name in Lexington, firml}^ patriotic to the American cause.
He lived upon a part of his father's homestead in the south
part of the town, neighbor to Capt. John Parker, his cousin.
He was quartermaster of the Lexington military Co. 1774.*
In the years 1776 and 1777 when the duties imposed upon
the town officers were arduous and responsible, in conse-
♦This is proven by the assessors' sheets of the highway tax rate of 1774,
Capt. John Parker being then assessor.
^8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
quence of the peculiar situation of atfairs, Mr. Parker was
chosen each year selectman. What the town regarded as an
important movement was the Lexington Declaration of Inde-
pendence, which they drew up at this time. Thomas Parker
was one of the 26 signers of this document, thus placing him-
self in open defiance against English rule, and pledging his
assistance and future prospects to the Colonies. These patriots
fully realized their responsibility in this act, knowing the fate
which would await them in case King George should ever be
able to punish his Colonial children. It seems that he was not
with Capt. Parker's company at the Lexington fight. Tradition
says he was ill at this time and was confined to the house.
The British wantonly ransacked houses on and near their line
of march. Two "redcoats" broke open the entrance to Mr.
Parker's house and demanded of Jane, his wife, to be shown
through the rooms. He had but one son and he, Corp. Ebene-
zer Parker, was doing service with his company. Thomas
Parker was a tall and very large, broad shouldered man ; he
had great vitality and strength, and although sick was not
helpless. He was of a strong family. Jonas Parker, who
had been murdered by the British the morning of that day,
was the strongest wrestler in the town. Amos Parker, the
eldest brother, who was settled in Shrewsbury, is said to have
been a remarkably strong man in his da}^ Mr. Parker's
family was equal to the emergency. Apparently complying
with the soldier's demands, she presently brought them into
her husband's room. It seems that the daughter had mean-
while brought her father strong cord and he had quickly pre-
pared himself. He seized them both and with ropes bound
them tight. The tradition also says that he turned them over
to the Colonial authorities. He was 48 years of age at this
time.
The Parkers of these early times were industrious and pru-
dent. By his characteristic foresight he dealt successfully in
real estate and accumulated a respectable property. He sold
his land in Lexington to his cousins there, also bought timber
land in Shrewsbury, and new land in Hubbardston, formerly
owned by his brother Amos. In 1777 he made the purchase
PARKER GENEALOGY. 59
of the estate in Princeton,* whereupon he with his son settled
and made it their home. The grantor was Elisha Hedge,
then of Marlborough.
" For and in consideration of the sum of Thirteen Hundred and
Thirty pounds [over $6,000], well and truly paid by Thomas
Parker of Lexington, gentleman, one certain tract or parsal of Land
situate and being in Princeton containing Four Hundred Acres,
together with the Road passing through the Same, it being the Black
Grove farm, so called, and it being all the land which the sd Mr.
Hedge ownes in Princeton."
No buildings are mentioned in the deed. He located the
home upon the beautiful spot so familiar to the family as the
old homestead. Here Mr. Parker's descendants are still
living. This place was then, as now, a charming locality.
It is an elevated region overlooking water close at hand and
the West Sterling valley toward the east, while at the west
Mount Wachusett stands noble and distinct, and picturesque
Princeton centre lies nearly in the same direction. He soon
added a few more hundred acres to the estate, a part of which
he later sold out to his friends, thus regulating who his neigh-
bors should be. Other Lexington families setded in Princeton
in this way. The beautiful rich valley here, miles in extent,
is a rich farming district. It was originally a part of the
"Black Grove" farm ; it now contains many valuable farms,
and as many more dwellings. Thomas Parker's estate ex-
tended from Sterling line to Rutland line, and also more than
a mile to the north of the homestead.
The small red house which was first erected upon the place,
was after a number of years partially superseded by a large
*It is said that previous to his selection of the Princeton estate he thought
very favorably of buying a large tract at "Valley Village," now West Boyl-
ston, including the valuable water-power there. A century's development
has highly prospered this locality, and we may be apt to judge that his finan-
cial prospects at least would have been better had he selected this site. But
this was not al)-sutTicient in Mr. Parker's esteem. He was a farmer, not a
manufacturer, and the water-power at Princeton could run a saw-mill. He
must attend constantly to his spiritual needs, and the Church at Princeton
was favorable. Again, the land in Boylston was less in area^and more in
price, while the fact of its adjacent location to Worcester was* of no weight
then, as railroads were not thought of and Worcester was no more populous
than the average town.
6o PARKER GENEALOGY.
brick house adjoining the red one. This was used as a tavern
by Thomas Parker and later b}^ his son Ebenezer, while the
original house continued duty as kitchen only. He purchased
land in Rindge, N. H., in 1790, which he rented from year to
year.
Thomas Parker was 50 years of age when he came to
Princeton, Upon settling he purchased the meeting-house pew
which was long used by his descendants. The deed, under
date of 1788, shows that he, "Thomas Parker of Princeton,
Gentleman," bought of John Bradley and wife of Holden, the
one undivided half of a pew in the meeting-house in Prince-
ton, situated in the southwest part of the body seat. He d.
July 3, 1799- His widow Jane d. Aug. 17, 1814, aged 85.
They were both interred in the pleasant family grave-yard at
the homestead. His children were all b. in Lexington.
^^ur?ia/ (/h^A^^
Their children were :
33. Ebenezer Parker, b. Aug. 13, 1750; m. Dorcas Monroe of
Lexington.
William Parker, bap. Dec. 29, 1751 ; d. young.
They buried two infant children, probably b. between William
and Mary.
34. Mary Parker, bap. July 13, i76o; m. Jonas Smith of Wal-
tham.
11. Lucy Parker (Andrew,^ John,^^ Hananiah,^
Thomas^), dau. of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, bap-
tized in Lexington, April 4, 1731 ; m. March 24, 1750, Joshua
Mead, b. Nov. 9, 1715, son of David and Hannah (Smith)
Mead of Lexington. This David was b. in Cambridge, 1678,
son of David and Hannah (Warren) Mead, and m. in Water-
town, Hannah Smith, in w^hich town he lived before coming to
Lexington. They were admitted to the Church Dec. 8. 1751.
Though Joshua Mead united with the Church in Lexington,
and a part of his children were baptized there, he resided
within the limits of Waltham. His uncle was Hopestill Mead,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 6l
whose dau. Abigail, bap. Aug. 30, 1713 ; m. Oct. 23, 1729,
Nathaniel Jennison of Weston, and whose dau. Abigail m.
Andrew Parker of Lexington. Joshua Mead d. in Waltham,
March 31, 1794-
Their children were :
1. Lucy Mead, bap. Jan. 19, 1752 ; d. Dec, 1752.
2. Mary Mead, b. May i, '753; in. Dec. 3, 1772, Abraham
Whitney.
3. Moses Mead, b. Dec. 2, 1754; m. May 22, 1777, Lizzy Viles,
last of the 13 children of John and Suzanna (Beinis) Viles of
Waltham. He was in the Revolutionary war. Children :
I. Moses, b. March 7, 1778.
II. David, b. Oct. 23, 1779.
III. Suzanna. b. March 22, 1781.
IV. Elizabeth, b. Feb. 20, 1783; d. Sept. 28. 1800.
V. Jacob, b. Jan. 20, 1785 ; d. Jan. 9, 17S6.
VI. Abner, b. March 19, 1787.
VII. Nathan, b. March 29, 1789.
viii. Sophia, b. Feb. 20, 1792.
IX. Watson, b. March 14, 1794.
X. Clarissa, b. Aug. 27, 1796; d. Oct. 3, 1800.
4. Lydia Mead, b. May 17, 1756 ; m. June i, 1775, Joseph Adams
of Newton.
5. Elijah Mead, b. Sept. 30, 1758 ; m. Abigail . Children :
I. Polly, b. Sept. 25, 1779.
II. Betsey, b. July 30, 1781.
III. Isaac, b. May 7, 1783.
IV. Samuel, b. May 14, 1785.
V. Lydia, b. June 20, 1787.
And perhaps Nabby, bap. July i, 1787.
6. Jacob Mead, b. Oct. 30, 1760; d. Sept. 14, 1816. By wife
Polly had :
I. Jacob, drowned Jan. 9, 1796.
II. Jacob, b. Aug. 10, 1797; d. Sept., 1800.
III. Child, d. April 5, 1799, aged 4 weeks.
IV. Jacob, b. May 3, 1802.
V. George Murdock, b. Aug. 22, 1804.
\i. John, b. April 17, 1807.
\'ii. Charles, b. April 4, 1810.
VIII. Mary, b. Oct. 3, 181 2; d. 1813.
IX. Jesse, b. Sept. 20, 1815.
62 PARKER GENEALOGY.
12. Dea. Andrew Parker, Jr. (Andrezv,^ John,^ Han-
am'ah,^ Thomas^), 3'Oungest surviving son of Andrew and
Sarah (Whitney) Parker, was b. in Lexington, April ii,
1738; bap. April 16, 1738. His diary is in preservation at
Worcester. In it he inscribed these words :
••I, Andrew Parker, was born in the year 1738, in April, the
eleventh day thereof — my wife born in April 22 day, 1737, one year
older than I, lacking eleven days.
" I moved from Lexington to Weston about y^ middle of April,
1763. then Last Week in August I came to work at Rutland District
& Prepared to move my family. I went down & brought up my
family the last week in November.
" I took possession of my house at Rutl'' District y'^ 8 day of
December 1763.
'• I Andrew Parker was given in marriage in y^ year 1759 on the
29 day of November."
His wife was Abigail Jennison of Weston, dau. of Nathaniel.
She was twin sister of Sarah. Her mother was Abigail Mead.
See Mead family, page 61. Her father, Nathaniel Jennison,
was b. April 5, 1709, son of Samuel and Mary (Stearns)
Jennison of Watertown, the fifth of their family of 11 children.
He, Samuel, was son of Ensign Samuel, and the latter was
son of Robert Jennison, one of the earliest proprietors of
Watertown, and who was the common ancestor of the name.
The intention of marriage of Andrew Parker, Jr., of Lex-
ington, and Abigail Jennison of Weston, was entered upon
the records of Weston April 8, 1759. They made their peace
with the Church in Lexington, April 20, 1760, and were dis-
missed to the Church of Rutland, May 10, 1765. "Rutland
District," then a part of Rutland, was what is now the town of
Barre, it being incorporated as a separate town in 1774. We
find that her brother had previously removed to the district,
as on Aug. 4, 1763, Nathaniel Jennison, then of Rutland
District, sold to "Andrew Parker of Weston," 63 acres of
land in said district, bounded at length upon the west "from
an upper to y' lower fording of Moose Brook, and is a part of
Great Farm No. XXVHL" He later, in 1777, purchased of
Ichabod Robinson ^6\ acres of new land " lying at the North-
west of the Meeting House Lot."'
PARKER GENEALOGY. 63
Favorable mention is made of Andrew Parker in Mr. Edwin
Woods's Historical Discourse of Barre, in which he says :
" There soon came to be associated with the town Dea. John
Mason, Nathan Sparhawk, Asa Hapgood and Dea. Andrew Parker.
The last named came from Lexington, and possessed many of the
traits exhibited by his blood relation of Revolutionary fame, Capt.
John Parker, and also the late distinguished reformer and preacher,
Theodore Parker. Under the management of these men the district
advanced rapidly in population and prosperity. Forests were felled,
roads were opened, streams were spanned with bridges, saw-mills
turned out lumber, houses went up, harvests ripened and on every
hand were signs of thrift which made all hearts glad. In the im-
portant convention at Cambridge, 1777, for the purpose of framing a
constitution of government, Barre was xepresented by those clear
sighted and trusted men, always foremost when any grave and public
service was to be rendered, John Mason, Esq., Lieut. Andrew Parker
and Lieut. Asa Hapgood."
Subsequently Mr. Parker served upon an amendment com-
mittee. He was one of the five chosen Committee of Corres-
pondence for Barre during the year previous to the outbreak
of the Revolution. A full account of his public service would
be too tedious. But his able assistance was given at the time
it was most needed ; it was when our ancestors, with cool
heads and stout hearts, dared to be their own masters, and
unitedly risked all in the common cause. Then they laid the
foundations of government of this now greatest of nations, and
"built better than they knew." He was selectman 1783, 1787,
town clerk 1787. moderator of town meetings 15 times, on
committee to remonstrate against loan by bills of credit, Dec.
10, 1777 ; on committee to enlarge common and draw plan of
new meeting-house. May 9, 1785 : on Shays rebellion griev-
ance committee, Jan. 6, 1787 : on school district committee,
Jan. 25, 1790.
He was very intimate with his brothers, Thomas Parker
who lived in Princeton and Amos Parker of Shrewsbury. He
visited often and his name is found attached as witness to his
brothers' most valuable papers. In his pocket diary, already
referred to, is a reference to a transaction with his brother in
Lexington, he probably little thinking that his odd statement
would be preserved for centuries —
64 PARKER GENEALOGY.
"Oct. y* 25, 1768.. I bought two heifers of brother Jonas for
which I was to give four pounds eight shillings, and broke my shins
a coming home with them."
Our ancestors for many generations have possessed a good
knowledge of that important trade in their day, woodworking.
A woodworker was called a joiner. All farm implements
and most of the common machinery were then made of wood.
Thus a very extensive and thorough knowledge was required
to rank well in this art. In Barre Dea. Parker continued this
vocation during his spare time. He made wagons and all
farm implements, house furniture and was expert in making
spinning wheels. Probably most of the spinning wheels used
in Barre — that indispensable machine — were made by Dea.
Parker. One of his make has been preserved b}^ the family.
It was made at an early date, perhaps in Lexington, and he
gave it to his dau. Abigail in her outfit for marriage. It
remained at the Allen homestead after Mrs. Allen's decease,
passing into the possession of the dau., Mrs. Elizabeth Carter.
It is in perfect preservation, although it was used by mother
and dau. for over 80 years, and its age necessarily exceeds
100 years. It is fondly cherished as a souvenir of Dea. Andrew
Parker, as it properly deserves to be.
Dea. Andrew Parker was a devout man. It is said that
before he removed from Lexington he was an officer in the
Church there. When in Barre, for several years he and his
family were obliged to go to Rutland, ten miles, in order to
attend church. This he traversed, probably horseback, until
sufficient families had settled in Rutland District to build
a church. Dea. Parker helped build the first church in
Barre. He was made its deacon. He was a conscientious
man and entertained views of his own accordingly. In one
instance he warned the minister, it is said, that he would not
pay him anything for preaching doctrine in which he did not
believe. In his diary he made notes of many of the first ser-
mons preached in Rutland District (now Barre), and in its
midst is a treatise on religion of great length. His homestead
was in the northwestern part of the town. As his farm ex-
tended south from Petersham line to the "lower fordway of
Moose Brook," it seems that his house must have been situated
PARKER GENEALOGY.
65
on the road from Barre to Petersham, a short distance south
of the junction of this brook and the Petersham road.
One-sixth of the population of the town of Barre served in
the Revolutionary war. In 1774 Dea. Andrew Parker was
chosen lieutenant of the first company of militia. He must
have seen some service, although no records are known to
exist. He was one of the committee who, previous to the
Revolution, officiated for the town in changing its name from
Hutchinson to Barre. The name of Hutchinson, the Tory,
was very disgusting to the patriots of this town of liberty.
"The committee who had the petition in charge was made up
from the best minds in town — men commanding respect for their
attainments and force of character." — History of Worcester County.
It seems that his wife Abigail d. soon after 1766, thus living
but a few years in Barre. He m. (2) Mary . By
Mary he had son Artemas Parker, born 20 years after the
birth of his previous child. Andrew^ Parker died in May, 1791.
The widow Mary m. again, this time to Aaron Chamberlain
of Chelmsford, who was a gentleman of education and means.
They lived in Chelmsford until 1816, when they removed to
Swanton, Vt. Mr. Chamberlain was deceased before Nov. 4,
1822. She may have spent the remainder of her days with
her son Artemas.
"This inventory, apprized at the present true value in Lawful
money all the Estate whereof Dea" Andrew Parker late of Barre,
Deceased, died seized and possessed of that has been shown to us by
M'' Abel Loring Ad' of s'' Estate viz : "
Among the items were the following :
"The Farm with the Buildings thereon £270-00-0
One Pew in the meeting-house 8-02-0
One horse stable at the meeting-house 3-00-00
One old horse X'2-8, one mare & Colt £12. 14-0S-00
Four Cows and a Calf i!;«iS-oo
One three year old heifer 3-1^-00
Two heifers two year old — Two Yearling heifers and two
Calfs S-02-00
Nineteen Sheep and Lambs and three Swine 9-06-03
Three suits of clothes, one gown, cap, shirts, stocks,
stockins, mits. two pears boots 6-07-03
5
66 PARKER GENEALOGY.
One pear Shoe Buckels 2s. 6d, One peai- Knee Do. &
Shock buckels 5/ 7-06-00
One pear Spectacles 9-00
Four beds, bedding, bedsteads, furniture, coverleds,
blankets, etc. 15-09-01
One Timepiece i£i-i6. One Desk and Bookcase 20/ and
one Case of Draws 15/ 3-11-00
Old chests and tables 1-02-00
One Candle stand, three armed chairs, and twenty seven
small Do. 3-02-10
18 Puter Plaits 15/ old Puter Dishes 5/3 four Platers and
eight Plaits 13/8 i-13-n
Two Brass Kettles JCi-10 old Brass ware 3/ handirons 14/
fier Peals & tongs 7/ Crains & hooks 8/ tosting &
Grediron 4/6 Case knives & forks 3/ Candlesticks
2/ Snufers /6 Stilerds 1/ Two pear of bellowses 4/
Two Seves 1/6 two brushes and brooms 2/4 2-13-08
Glass Bottles, tea Canester, warming pan, teapot, cups,
saucers, brown Earthen ware, five silver tea spoons,
plates and small vials 30-13-00
One honed Razor and Box i/io Gun and Bagnut 12/
and Sword 1/6 Two woolen wheels 8/6 one Lamb
and tackier £2 One flaxconib 24/ 3-12-06
One Cradle and Scales 3/8 two Cheese tubs, one churn
and six pails 12/10 16-06
Thirteen Barrels of Cyder £3-18. twenty one barrels 36/
three meat tubs 4/6 and four meal chests 10/ 6-08-06
A Lining wheel, 30*' of wool 40/ and six baskets 6/ 2-13-00
One womans saddle 30/ one mans Do. 12/ Pillion 6/
Saddle bag 12/ Bridles and Sirsingle 12/ and three
mealbags 4/ 3-16-00
Three old Bibles with a number of other Books JC2-36/ 3-16-00
Timber on hand £3-4-6. The one half of a Cyder mill
£2-5-0. 5-09-06
Meet in the tub £2-10-0 Grain on hand 12/4. Malt T/^)- 3-09-10
seven wheels partly made 27/ four Sets of Irons for
Linen wheels 8/ and three Sets of Screwcutters with
the other Shop tools £11-12-0 13-07-00
Carts & wheels 30/ two plows 2^/ ox yoke 5/ horse 3-00-00
tackier 19/6 Sled 2/ Sickels 2/ Iron forks 5/ Raks 1-08-06
3/10 Grass Cythes and tackier 10/2 Grindston 6/ 1-00-02
and Crosscut Saw 4/6. 4-06"
PARKER GENEALOGY. 67
Other items accompany the inventory, among them being
a score of notes receivable, making a sum total of £468-135.-
id.-3far., a verv respectable estate for his time. It was
appraised by Isaac Toby, Joel Bent and Timothy Hastings.
From a family record is copied the following :
"The Division of the Estate of Dea. Andrew Parker of Barre.
I St — The widows thirds to Mrs. Mary Parker. The remainder to
be divided into five parts —
One Part to Capt. Smith.
One Part to Mrs. Tobey.
One Part to Capt. Nathan Allen.
One Part to Sally Mayhevv.
One Part to Artemas Parker."
The first two children were born in Lexington, remainder
in Barre. The following is copied from the deacon's diary
verbatim :
" My Daughter Rhoda. born on y" 19 day of June 1760, about eleven
oclock forenoon.
" My Daughter Abigail, born on the 29 day of January 1763, about
r2 oclock davtime.
" My Daughther Sally, born y" 17 day of March 1765, at one oclock
afternoon.
"My Daughter Bettey, born the 13 day of January, 1766, about 4
oclock afternoon.'"
Artemas Parker, by his 2nd wife Mary, b. Aug. 5, 1786, thus 20
years junior to his last sister.
His five children all lived to maturity and married.
35. Rhoda Parker, m. Capt. Joseph Smith of Barre.
36. Abigail Parker, m. Nathan Allen of Barre.
37. Sally Parker, m. Jonathan Mayhevv of Phillipston.
38. Bettey Parker, m. Paul Tobey.
39. Artemas Parker, m. Spaulding.
13. Keziah Parker (Andrew,* yohn,^ Hanuniah,^
Thomas'), dau. of Andrew and Sarah (Whitney) Parker, bap.
in Lexington. June i, 1740; m. June 21, 1759, Joseph ^Vyman
of Lunenburg. Her intention of marriage is recorded upon the
68 PARKER GENEALOGY.
records of Lunenburg with date " May y® 4th Anno Domini
1759," ^° Silas Wyman, brother of Joseph, but she m. in June,
Joseph Wyman. She removed to Lunenburg, where her
husband was an active man. He was a farmer, and she
lived in Lunenburg until her death, which occurred Aug. 7,
1776. He was b. in Woburn, Oct. 27, 1734, son of John and
Rebecca, who with their family settled in Lunenburg. This
John^ was son of Johns and Rebecca of Woburn, who was son
of John^ and grandson of John", a Lieut, and tanner in Woburn,
the originator of the line in America. Joseph Wyman m. 2nd
Sarah Allen.
Their children were :
David Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, April 29, 1762.
Joseph Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, April 3, 1764.
Oi.ivER Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, March 26, 1766.
Thomas Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, Sept. 27, 1768.
Sarah Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, Feb. 37, 177^ •
John Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, Oct. 14, 1760.
Elizabeth Wyman, b. at Lunenburg, Nov. 10, i773-
14. Anna Parker (^^^5^/2,+ yohn,^Hanamah,^ Thomas^),
b. in Lexington, Sept. 9, 1719, dau. of Josiah and Anna (Stone)
Parker, m. in Lexington, Nov. 6, 1737, Benjamin Smith, Jr.,
b. in Lexington, July 20, 1714, son of Benjamin and Martha
(Comee) Smith.* Benjamin, Jr., was the road surveyor.
She d. a widow in Waltham, June 10, 1768. Benjamin, Sr.,
was for a long time very popular with the townsmen, being
often elected to public office. He was 12 years on the board
of selectmen. He was the son of Thomas and this Thomas
was the son of Thomas who was born in England and came
to this country in 1635 with his father John. The original
ancestry is found to be the same as that of Jonas Smith of
Waltham, who m. 1775, Mary Parker of Lexington and settled
in Princeton.
*The Smith family was at the outset so common in all settlements as to
make it a difficult task for the genealogist, but through continued research
much has been effected in this line. The best authority, and to whom we are
the most indebted for the work, is the compiler of the Watertotvn Genealo-
sries. The writer is indebted to Hudson's History of Lexington for much re-
garding the issues of the Smith and Monroe families which now follow.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 69
Their children were :
1. Solomon Smith, b. Oct. 27, 1738; d. April 16, 1741.
2. Benjamin Smith, b. March 7, 1741 ; m. Mary Lee. They
were admitted to the Church in Lexington, June 24, 1768.
They had the following children b. in Lexington :
I. Anna Smith, b. April 2, 1770; m. Abijah Wyman of
Burlington.
II. Benjamin Smith, b. Sept. i, 1774. He went to Town-
send. There he m. a Turner. He was killed by tlie
upsetting of a cart.
III. David Smith, b. Sept. 29, 1776. He went to Ashby
and m. a Foster.
3. Anna Smith, b. March 31, 1743; m. William Monroe, b. in
Lexington, Oct. 28, 1742, son of William and vSarah (Mason)
Monroe. She was a lady of great worth, which was well
reciprocated by her husband. Her choice was one of the
most esteemed and prominent men of hardy Lexington — Col.
William Monroe. Six children were born unto them, after
which she d. Jan. 2, 1781, aged 38. William Monroe was
orderly sergeant of Capt. Parker's Co. in 1775 ; it was under
him that the guard was posted at Mr. Clarke's house on the
evening of the i8th of April, 1775 ; and he paraded the men on
the common the next morning in the ver\- face of British
troops. The services which he performed in the opening of
the Revolution were followed up by other services in the
progress of the war. He was a lieutenant in the Northern
army at the taking of Burgoyne in 1777. He was a prominent
citizen and filled important town offices. He was selectman
nine years and represented the town two years. He was a
colonel in the militia and marched towards Springfield during
Shays' rebellion, but the dispersement of the insurgents en-
abled him to return home in a short time. Col. Monroe kept
the public house long known as the Monroe Tavern. This
is an important relic of the many historical preservations of
Lexington. The house was built before 1700 and looks well
to-day. Here the British regaled themselves, and committed
many outrages on the 19th of April ; here they shot down in
cold blood John Raymond, who was about leaving the house;
here Gen. Washington dined in 1789, when he visited tlie first
battle-field of the Revolution, and here the house is well pre-
served to-day and still occupied by descendants of the Monroe
family, who cordially show the old portion of the tavern to all
70 PARKER GENEALOGY.
interested in its history.* An excellent steel portrait of Col.
William Monroe is given in Hudson's Histor}' of Lexington.
He d. Oct. 30, 1837, aged 85. The Monroes of Lexington
did all they coidd to help the struggling colonies and gained
a well-earned renown. Col. William was brother to Capt.
Edmund Monroe of Col. Bigelow's regiment, and he served
all through the war until the battle of Monmouth, where he
was killed. They were sons of William and Sarah (Mason)
Monroe. The latter William was son of Ensign William
Monroe, son of William Monroe from Scotland, the ancestor
of all the Monroes of Lexington. Their children were:
1. William Monroe, b. May 28, 1768; m. Susan B.
Grinnell of New Bedford. He was killed at Rich-
mond, Va., by the upsetting of a stage in 1814.
II. Anna Monroe, b. May 9, 1771 ; m. Sept. 20, 1798,
Rev. William Muzzy of Sullivan, N. H. She d. in
Lexington, 1S50, aged 70. He was graduated at Har-
vard College 1793, and was ordained at Sullivan, N.
H., Feb. 7, 1798. He left in 1828 and returned to
Lexington with his family, where he d. April 16, 1835.
They had five children b. in Sullivan, two of whom d.
in 1814 of the spotted fever. Their children were:
1. William Muzzy, b. June 30, 1804; lived in Philadelphia.
2. Emily Muzzy, b. Nov., 1800; d. unm.
3. Abby Ann Muzzy, b. June 15, 1806; m. Dea. William Brig-
ham and resided in Lexington. Their only child was
Laura Muzzy Brigham, b. July 20, 1836.
III. Sarah Monroe, b. Oct. 21, 1773; m. Jonathan
Wheelock of Concord. She d. aged about 77.
IV. LuciNDA Monroe, b. April 9, 1776; d. unm. June 2,
1863, aged S^.
V. Jonas Monroe, b. June 11, 1778; m. March 17, 1814,
Abigail C. Smith, dau. of Joseph and Lucy (Stone)
Smith, descendant of the ancient Smith line of Lexing-
ton. Jonas Monroe was a lieutenant in the LTnited
*At the old Monroe Tavern there wei-e exhibited on Nov. 5, 1889, the looth
anniversary of Washington's visit to Lexington, many articles of historic
interest. Among the articles shown was the wedding furniture of William
and Anna Monroe, to wit : Round mahogany table, two arm chairs, looking
glass, hat tree, britannia teapot, spinning-wheel, rush-bottomed chair, pewter
candlestick, copper sauce pan, block used during Revolution for stamping
fabrics, iron fire-dogs, warming-pan, "loggerheads" for making flip, lemon
squeezer for making punch.
PARKER GENEALOGY. ^1
States Dragoons in 1807, resigned his commission, and
on the breaking out of the War of 181 2 was com-
missioned as lieutenant of infantry and was engaged for
a short time in the recruiting service. He kept the
"Monroe Tavern," and was extensively and favorably
known to the travelling public. He was drowned at
Somerville, while bathing, July 2, i860, aged 82. His
widow d. April 4, 1861 , aged 68. Their children were :
1. William Henry Monroe, b. March 2, 1815. He is doing busi-
ness in Philadelphia.
2. Harriet Monroe, b. Nov. 25, i8i6. ' She is unm.
3. Abby Smith Monroe, b. Aug. 28, 1819; d. Dec. 21, 1822.
4. James S. Monroe, b. June 6, 1824; m. Alice B. Phmney. He
resided in Lexington and had three sons.
VI. Edmund Monroe, b. Oct. 29, 1780; m. (i) Harriett
Downes, (2) Lydia Downes, (3) Sophia Sewall. He
was a broker in Boston. He d. April 17, 1865.
Martha Smith, b. April 19, 1745 ; m. May 27, 1771, Ebenezer
Monroe, b. Nov. 15, 1744, son of Robert and Anna (Stone)
Monroe. The father, Robert, was a soldier in the French
War ; was the standard bearer at the taking of Louisburg in
1758, and was also in the service in 1762. He was ensign in
Capt. Parker's Co., and fell, one of the first victims of British
oppression, April 19, 1775, right in his native town, after
having served England so faithfully and well. Ebenezer
Monroe was enrolled with Parker's patriots, and was in the
battle of Lexington in 1775, and was also in the campaign of
the Jerseys in 1776. He d. Aug. 22, 1826, aged S2 ; she d.
Oct. 13, 1834, aged 86. Their children were :
I. Patty Monroe, b. Feb. 19, 1772; m. Dec. 25, 1804,
Isaac Pierce of W^altham.
II. Ebenezer Monroe, b. Feb. 2, 1777; d. June 6, 1798,
aged 21.
III. Esther Monroe, b. Oct., 1783; m. Jan. 19, 1806,
David Tuttle, b. in Winchendon, Dec. 2, 1782, son of
Jedediah, a Revolutionary veteran. She d. in Lexing-
ton, Oct. 14, 1809, aged 26, and left no issue.
IV. John Monroe, b. April 28, 1785; m. Dec. 11, 1811,
Charlotte Bacon of Woburn. He d. Feb. 17, 186^,
aged 79. Their children were :
1. John Harrison Monroe, b. June 3, 1S13, who lived :it F'ail
River.
2. Charles Henry Monroe, b. Aug. 10, 1814; d. at Buffalo. N.
Y., July 17, 1850.
^2 PARKER GENEALOGY.
3. Harriet Monroe, b. April 29, 1816; d. Feb. 2, 1835.
4. Ebenezer Moni-oe, b. Dec. 3, 1817 ; m. Margaret M. Wilson ;
d. Jan. 5, 1868, aged 50, and had children : Julia Maria and
Robert.
5. Jonas Monroe, b. Sept. 10, 1819; d. Aug. 15, 1843.
6. Lavina Monroe, b. Oct. 16, 1821 ; m. April 4, 1839, Galen
Allen; resided at Lexington; he was selectman; she d.
April 22, 1865, and their children were: Harriett A.,
Annette A., John G., Lavinia M., Jonas M.
7. Oliver Monroe, b. April 10, 1825 ; d. May 4, 1857.
8. Charlotte Monroe, b. March 28, 1827; m. George MulHken;
she d. Dec. 8, 1861 ; she had five children, viz. : Charlotte
M., d. ; George F., d. ; Charles Henry; Clarence M. ;
Harriett M., d.
5. Esther Smith, b. April i, 1751.
6. Esther Smith, b. Dec. 26, 1753 ; m. Simeon Snow of Holden,
and d. Jan. 14, 1780.
7. David Smith, b. Aug. 15, 1756. He was a member of Capt.
Parker's Co.
8. Thomas Smith, b. July 34, 1760; m. Oct. 3, 1782, Sarah Tay-
lor of Charlestown, b. March I3, 1760; he d. Aug. 11, 1807.
Their children were :
I. Sarah Smith, b. Oct. 17, 1783; m. John Underwood,
second cousins, as their great-great-grandfather was Lt.
Josiah Parker. See Underwood, page ^6. Their
children were :
1. Mary Underwood, d. 1814.
2. Napoleon Underwood.
3. Abigail Underwood, m. Nov. 22, 1836, John Fillebrown of
West Cambridge.
4. Mary Underwood, bap. May 21, 1815.
'5. Sarah Underwood, b. Sept. 4, 1817 ; d. 3'oung.
6. Joseph Underwood, bap. Jan. 24, 1819.
7. Sarah Underwood, bap. July 9, 1820; m. Feb. 9, 1843, John
A. Tufts of Cambridge.
8. Nathan Underwood, bap. Aug. 17, 1823.
II. Abigail Smith, b. March 30, 1785 ; m. Sept. 27, 1809,
David Tuttle. They probably removed from town.
III. Thomas Smith, b. June 12, 1788; d. Aug. 12, 1809,
unm.
IV. William Taylor Smith, b. Aug. 3. 1789 ; m. May 27,
181 2, Cynthia Child of Gardner; no issue. They
were both living 1868.
V. Charles Smith, b. July 27, 1791 ; m. Hannah Ham-
mond.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 73
VI. Patty Smith, b. Aug. lo, 1793; m. Sept. 27, i8ro,
David Tattle, her cousin Esther's widower, as his
second wife ; she d. Dec. 15, 181 6, aged 32, and he m.
again. Their children were :
1. Esther Tuttle, b. Aug. 3, 1812; m. 1833, Caleb S. Tuttle, and
settled in Alton, 111.
2. Abigail Tuttle, b. Aug. 2, 1814; m. Dec. 29, 1S35, Jonathan
S. Parker of Lexington.
VII. Jonas Leonard Smith, b. June 11, 1795; d. March
16, iSoi.
VIII. Larkin Smith, b. Oct. 15, 1797: m. Lucy S. Smith,
dau. of Jonas.
IX. Ebenezer R. Smith, b. Dec. 3, 1799; m. Almira
Reed ; she d. i860, aged -iS. Their children were :
1. Sarah E. Smith, b. Oct. 27, 1829; m. April 23, 1851, Edijiund
Reed of Burlington.
2. Eustis R. Smith, b. March 6, 1832; d. Dec. 10, 1832.
3. Almira J. Smith, b. Oct. i, 1833; d. Nov. 22, 1834.
4. Almira J. Smith, b. Oct. 24, 1S35.
5. Eustis Reed Smith, b. June 30, 1839.
6 Octavia Smith, b. July 16, 1841.
X. Jonas Leonard Smith, b. April 10, 1803 ; m. Sarah
Cowley of Watertown. They had a child who d.
young. He d. Dec. 10, 1845.
15. Deliverance Parker (Josiah,^ John,^ Hananiah,-
Thomas'), b. in Lexington, May 28, 1721, dau. of Lt. Josiah
and Anna (Stone) Parker; m. in Lexington, April 7, 1737,
Marrett Monroe, b. in Lexington, Dec. 6, 1713, son of Lt.
John of Lexington and last in a family of ten children- This
John was however the eldest of the ancestor William Monroe's
family of 12 children. John Monroe and others had 900 acres
of land granted to them in 1735 for services rendered in the
Indian fight at Lamprey River, June 6, 1690. Marrett Monroe
was selectman. They resided near the common, in the house
now occupied by the family of John Hudson. He and wife
Deliverance became parents of a large and sturdy family of
the Monroe name. His will, dated Feb. 18, 1789, and proved
May I, 1798, mentions wife Deliverance, sons Josiah, Nathan
and Thaddeus, and daughters Rachel, Mary Underwood,
Bethia, Deliverance Winship, Elizabeth Buckman and a child
of dau. Ann Nurse, deceased.
74 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
1. Rachel Monroe, b. Nov. 29, 1737; d. unm. in Boston, where
she lived.
2. JosiAH Monroe, b. June 29, 1742; d. June 12, 1743.
3. JosiAH Monroe, b. Feb. 12, 1745; m. Nov. 15, 1768, Suzan
Fitch of Bedford. He was in the French War in 1762. He
also served three months in the Jerseys in 1776. He then
entered the Continental line and served two and a half years.
After the close of the war he drew land in what was after-
ward Ohio. He settled in Marietta in that State, where he
was for a time postmaster. He had at least one child b. in
Lexington, viz., Suzanna, bap. Nov. 10, 1771. They had
another dau. and a son b. in Bedford before he moved to Ohio.
4. Nathan Monroe, b. Aug. 9, 1747 ; m. Oct. 3, 1769, Elizabeth
Harrington, b. Sept. 17, 1750, dau. of Henry and Sarah
(Laughton) Harrington of Lexington. He was a member of
Col. Parker's minute-men and took part in the battle of Lex-
ington 1775. He succeeded to his father's homestead, residing
on Monument Street, where Mr. John Hudson now resides.
His house received several balls, which were taken out subse-
quently when the house was repaired. She d. Dec. 24, 181 2.
Their children were :
I. Dolly Monroe, b. Nov. 18, 1769; m. Jan. 28, 1788,
Elijah Pierce, b. Jan. i, 1765, son of Ephraim of Wal-
tham. 'They lesided in Woburn, where he d. aged 54.
II. Arethusa Monroe, b. March 10, 1773; m. June 20,
1793, Capt. William Fox of Woburn. They resided
on the West Side in Woburn, neighbors to her Parker
relatives. They had nine children :
1. William Fox, b. Jan. 22, 1794.
2. Celenda Fox, b. Nov. 11, 1795.
3. Samuel Fox, b. June 11, 1799.
4. Elizabeth Fox, b. June 14, 1801.
5. Warren Fox, b. Jan. 16, 1804; m. in Woburn, May 17, 1827,
Eliza Richardson Parker.
6. Dorcas Fox, b. May 11, 1806.
7 Thomas Fox, b. May 14, 1808.
8. Martha Fox, b. April 22, 1810.
9. John Fox, b. July 29, 1812.
III. Betsey Monroe, b. April 5, 1776; m. March 20, 1798,
Munson Johnson, who came from Woburn to Lexing-
ton in 1795. It is said he was son of Francis Johnson
of Woburn. They had two children b. in Lexington,
viz., Charlotte Johnson and Adelia Johnson.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 75
IV. John Monroe, b. June 15, 1778; m. Macy of
Nantucket, where they settled.
V. Nathan Monroe, b. Oct. 23, 1780; removed to Con-
cord ; m. Susanna Loring, b. in Lexington, June 30,
1784, dau. of Joseph Loring, a Revokitionary veteran
who saw very hard service. They lived in Concord,
where he d. Their children were :
1. Elbridge Monroe, b. in Lexington, July 28, 1804.
2. Nathan Monroe, b. in Concord, July 28, 1808.
3. Jonas Clarke Monroe, b. in Lincoln, Sept. 22, 1812.
4. James Monroe, b. in Concord, Feb. 27, 1817.
VI. Jonathan Monroe, b. May 26, 1783 ; m. Feb. 13, 181 2,
Rhoda Johnson, dau. of F'rederick and Rhoda (Reed)
Johnson. She d. July 19, 1865, aged 72. He d. Dec.
4, 1867, aged 85. Their children were :
1. William Monroe, b. Dec. 17, 1812; m. Dec, 1846, Elvira
Merriam of Concord, dau. of Joseph Merriam. They reside
in Southbridge.
2. Elizabeth Monroe, b. March 21, 1814; m. June 7, 1839,
Francis Johnson of Woburn, now Winchester, b. April 18,
1813, son of Maj. Francis and Mehetable (Parker) Johnson.
They were fourth cousins, as it so happened that the great-
great grandfather of each was Lt. Josiah Parker of Lexing-
ton. (See page 43.) Their child was :
I. Elizabeth Johnson, b. in Winchester, Sept. 19, 1841 ;
resides at Lexington.
3. Josiah Monroe, b. Oct. 21, 1818; m. Oct. 10, 1847, Adeline
Dodge of Boston. They reside in Roxbury.
4. Faustina Monroe, b. Feb. i, 1821 ; m. June 12, 1859, Frederick
Stimpson.
vu. Polly Monroe, b. March 11, 1785; m. June 13, 1811,
Thomas Hunnewell of Charlestown.
III. Dorcas Monroe, b. March 31, 1788 ; m. Nov. 29, 1810,
Leonard Brown, b. Jan. 3, 1788, son of James of Lex-
ington. They lived in Lexington. Their children
were :
1. Elizabeth Brown, b. June 15, 181 1 ; d. March 2, 1820.
2. Mary Brown, b. May 9, 1814; d. March 3, 1820.
3. Leonard Brown, b. March 19, 1818; d. Sept. 4, 1819.
4. Leonard Brown, b. Feb. 24, 1821 ; m. Sarah Ann Goodnow
of Stow, and resides in Lowell.
5. Elizabeth Brown, b. March 8, 1823; m. Elias V. Blodgett.
6. Mary Brown, b. July 30, 1825; m. George Patch of Littleton.
7. Hiram Brown, b. July 20, 1827; m. Cynthia Farrar of Wal-
tham ; resides in Arlington.
8. Nathan Brown, h. Feb 8, 1830; m. March 7, 1852, Hannah
E. Fiske.
76 PARKER GENEALOGY.
IX. Thaddeus Monroe, b. Sept. 14, 1790 : settled in Quincy,
111.
X. Harris Moxroe, b. May 29, 1793 ; d. in Dedham, 1829.
5. Mary Monroe, b. March 3, 1749; m. March 21, 1771, Joseph
Underwood, b. in Lexington, April 30, 1749, son of Joseph.
He seems to have been a worthy member of the Underwood
family. He was among that brave band who stood up with
Capt. Parker, April 19, 1775; he also marched with the de-
tachment to Cambridge, May 10, and also June 17, 1775.
They were admitted to the Church, March 22, 1772. He d.
Feb. 27, 1829, aged 80. She d. July 10, 1802. They had
nine children ; many of them d. young, and among the re-
mainder were :
Joseph Underwood, bap. July 5, 1772; m. March 2,
iSoo, Eusebia Harrington ; was selectman, and d.
without issue, Sept. 6, 1845.
Polly Underwood, bap. Dec. 7, 1777; m. March 26,
1798, Jonas Smith, son of Joseph, and one of a family
of 13. Their children were :
1. Mary Monroe Smith, m. John C. Brackett of Woburn.
2. Lucy Stone Smith, m. Larkin Smith.
3. Sophronia Smith, m. Orin Knapp of Somerville.
John Under"wood, bap. March 26, 1780; m. Sarah
Smith, dau. of Thomas and Sarah (Taylor) Smith of
Lexington, b. Oct. 17, 1783 ; they were admitted to
the Church July 5, 181 2 ; he d. Aug. 8, 1855, aged 76 ;
she d. Jan. 25, 1848, aged 64. Their dau. Mary d.
voung. (See John LTnderwood, page 72.)
6. Bethiah Monroe, b. Jan. 22, 1753 ; lived at Bellows Falls,
Vt. ; d. unm. aged 93.
7. Deliverance Monroe, b. July 22, 1755 ; m. John Winship,
b. in Lexington, May 12, 1754, son of Samuel, and one of 11
children ; he d. in West Cambridge, April, 1825, and his
widow Deliverance Monroe Winship administered upon his
estate. He was a soldier in Capt. Pai'ker's Co. i775 ' ^^ ^^^^
served in the first campaign of eight and 12 months in New
York. They had seven children :
I. John Winship, b. Dec. 28, 1779-
II. Stephen Winship, b. July 15, 1782.
HI. Charles Winship, b. June 30, 1784.
IV. Sally Winship, b. July 23, 1786.
V. Polly Winship, b, April 26, 1788.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 77
VI. Hexry Winship, b. June 28, 1790.
VII. Nagus Winship, b, Aug. 4, 1793.
8. Anna Monroe, b. June 23, 175S; m. Josiah Nurse of Frani-
ingham.* I am, however, unable to follow them in the Fram-
ingham records.
9. Thaddeus Monroe, b. Oct. 26, 1760 ; traded in South Carolina,
where he d. unm.
10. John Monroe, b. and d. April 3, 1763.
11. Elizabeth Monroe, b. Oct. 4, 1765; m. July i, 1787, Jacob
Buckman of Woburn, where they finally settled. They were
the parents of Hon. Bowen Buckman of Woburn. Their
children were :
I. Bowen Buckman, b. in Lexington. April 19, 1788; m.
and lived in Woburn, a prominent and distinguished
man, and had children Eliza, Maria, and Julia Ann.
II. Dennis Buckman, b. in Lexington, May 13, 1794; m.
and lived in Woburn. Children : Elizabeth, Joseph,
Lora, Otis, Lavinia, and Ruth.
III. Willis Buckman, twin of Dennis, b. in Lexington, May
13, 1794 ; m. and lived in Woburn. Children : Bowen,
Alvah, Austin, and Minot J.
IV. Ira Buckman, b. in Woburn, Nov. 19, 1802 ; m. and
lived in Woburn and whose children were: Harrison,
Harriett. Zachariah Symmes, and William M.
V. William Morton Buckman, b. in Woburn, July 13,
1806; in. and lived in Woburn. Children: Catharine
and Catharine B. M. Many of these families or their
descendants still live in Woburn.
16. Josiah Parker, Jr. (Josiah,^ John,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas^ )n b. in Lexington, April ii, 1725, son of Lt. Josiah
and Anna (Stone) Parker, inherited from his ancestors a vigor-
ous constitution, strong intellect and good morals, which he
in turn transmitted to his children after settling for life in
Woburn.
It seems, also, that he inherited his lather's military spirit,
for in later years he became a lieutenant in Woburn. He was
probably connected with the Lexington military com pans-
while yet a lad, as was then the custom, and as his father was
(1744) lieutenant in Col. Phipps' Mass. Reg. The plan on
* froin History oj Lexington.
78 PARKER GENEALOGY.
page 43 shows where his father, one of the foremost men
in Lexington, Hved and carried on his farm, and where his
"well beloved son" lived until the age of 23, when he mar-
ried in Weston, Oct. 27, 1748, Mary Monroe, then of Weston.
She was b. in Lincolii, March 18, 1729, being one of a family
of II children, and sister to Martha Monroe, who m. Isaac
Stone of Lexington. Her father, Benjamin Monroe, whose
wife was Mary Merriam, was youngest child of a family of
14, the father bemg William Monroe, the Scotch emigrant
ancestor of the name, who settled in Lexington near the
Woburn line. Mary Monroe must have been a lady of much
worth, coming from this flourishing and sturdy Monroe family.
The year following his marriage he purchased, May 29,
1749, of John Burt's heirs, then of Boston, an estate in Woburn
of 200 acres of rich farming land for the sum of £2,000. It
was in the west part of the town and but a few miles from his
home in Lexington. It was in this part of Woburn where the
Kendalls resided ; where Jabez Kendall lived until his mar-
riage to Sarah Parker of Lexington. The farm was bordered
by Samuel Kendall on the north and on the west by Samuel
Wyman. Later, in i77i,Josiah Parker bought much more
land, bounded, as the deed reads, north by the highway to
Lexington, and east by the highwa}- to Charlestown. This
was in the southwest part of the town and was adjacent to a
part of his other land. It is said that his house, the home-
stead site, stood between Cambridge and Lexington Streets.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker were connected with the Church in
Woburn. It may be that he saw service in the French and
Indian wars, or perhaps accompanied his brother, Capt. John
Parker of Lexington, in the memorable Louisburg expedition
of 1745, or in the French and Indian war; but one thing is
certain, that he was honored with the title of Lieut.
Characteristic of his family he was " joiner" as well as a
farmer. He had his "shop," which he mentions in his will,
wherein he made wagons, furniture and all farm implements.
In his will, which is preserved in Middlesex Probate Records,
he mentions Mar}^ my dearly beloved wife, Mary, my well
beloved dau., my eldest son Josiah Parker, my dau. Lydia,
son Edmund, dau. Martha, and sons Nathan and Benjamin.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 79
He d. in Woburn, April i8, 1774, ^t the early age of 49.
All of his family were b. in Woburn.
Their children were :
40. Mary Parker, b. Dec. 25, 1749 ; m. (probably) John Gilmore.
41. JosiAH Parker, b. Nov. 25, 1751 ; m. Hannah Gardner of
Charlestown.
42. Lydia Parker, b. Dec. 10, 1753; m, Jesse Wright, then of
Woburn.
43. Benjamin Parker, h. Jan. 30, 1756; m. Mehetable Tidd of
Woburn.
Nathan Parker, b. April i, 1758; d. young.
Anna Parker, b. Feb. 12, 1760; probably d. young.
44. Edmund Parker, b. March 17, 1762; m. (i) Lydia Jolinson,
(2) Mrs. Elizabeth Reed, both of Woburn.
Martha Parker, b. July 29, 1764.
Ruth Parker, b. Oct. 1, 1766. She probably d. young, as she
was not mentioned in her father's will.
45. Nathan Parker, b. Feb. 21, 1769; m. Polly Richardson of
Woburn.
Betty Parker, b. July 23, 1771.
In Woburn Death Records is recorded the death of a John Parker,
May 30, 1790. His identity is not plain. Perhaps he belonged to
the Reading families.
17. Capt. John Parker (Josia/i,^ Joh^i,^ Hananiah^
Thomas'), son of Lieut. Josiah and Anna (Stone) Parker,
was b. in Lexington, July 13. 1729. He passed his boyhood
upon his father's farm amid the hardships and warfare of the
early times.
He was early connected with the military company of the
town, and was trained by his father, Lieut. Josiah Parker.
Unfortunately the period of his services in the French and
Indian wars cannot be ascertained, as all the rolls of the Lex-
ington men have not been preserved. Some of the Lexington
men were attached to the famous corps known as "Rogers's
Rangers," to which Capt. Edmund Monroe at one time be-
longed, and quite likely John Parker as well. This company
is thus described by the historian of Lexington :
"This was the corps in which vStark served his military apprentice-
ship;— a corps whose name was expressive of the life they led —
ranging through the wilderness, seeking their wary savage foe by
8o PARKER GENEALOGY.
day or by night in silent glens or secret ambush: — a corps whose
winter quarters were in tedious marchings amid drifted snows,
frozen lakes and ice clad hills, — relying sometimes upon snow shoes
and sometimes on skates for locomotion, and carrying their only
arsenal and commissariat in their packs. In such a corps were some
of the hardv sons of Lexington trained — they, knowing that their
lives were in their own hands and that their escape from the toma-
hawk and scalping knife, the tortures of the faggot or ignominious
slavery, depended entirely upon their own severe trials, perpetual
watchings and determined courage."
John Parker was at the capture of Louisburg in 1758, and
was at the taking of Quebec in 1759. ^^ ^^'^^ made a ser-
geant in this war. The war of the Revolution which fol-
lowed, and the great armies in the service of the late Rebellion
have thrown the French and Indian War in a great measure
into the shade. Few people at the present time realize the
toils, the sufferings and the sacrifices made by the colony at
that time to sustain the cause and strengthen the arm of the
mother country, which was shortly after raised to crush the
patriotic colonists. From 1755 to 1763 Massachusetts per-
iormed an amount of military service almost unparalleled.
Minot, the historian, says that in the year 1757 one-third of the
effective men in the colony were in some way or other in the
field. The patriotic devotion of the colony, and the zeal with
which the brave soldiers served Great Britain should have
excited her gratitude and induced her to respect their rights.
John Parker m. in Lexington, May 25, 1755, Lydia Moore,
b. in Lexington, Jan. 18, 1731, third dau. of Thomas and
Mary Moore of Lexington, who lived, if tradition be correct,
in a house, man}' years since in ruins, not far west of the
present poor farm. They were admitted to the Church Oct.
31, 1756. After the settlement of his father's estate the other
sons in course of time removed from town and he bought out
their shares. Mr. Parker was a successful farmer and col-
lected a respectable estate. He was a skilful "-joiner" as well
as a good mechanic. He became assessor, constable and col-
lector of his town. Royal assessments known as "the stamp
act," involving consequences of great importance, were levied
often upon the colonial towns. The collector received the
document and was obliged to collect its quota or go to jail.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 8l
As John Parker was assessor this duty fell upon him, and at
Lexington is preserved one of the papers, which best explains
the condition of affairs at this time. The citizens could not
anticipate their coming, which was irregular, or the amount
which might be stated in them.
John Parker was a stout, large framed man, of medium
height, somewhat like his illustrious grandson, Theodore
Parker, in personal appearance, but had a much longer face.
He was fond of learning and reading, as from Parson Clark's
diary we learn he was one of those who often borrowed his
valued books, treasures at that time.
The Church and town were one, consequently the minister
was the most influential man in the town. The ardent patriot,
Parson Jonas Clark, plainly exposed the doctrine for which
Massachusetts rose in arms. He levied high treason in the
house of God, and upon his fellow-citizens, and finally upon
the whole country — his influence was inestimable. The
Parkers for several generations used to love to go to Church,
they were the best of hearers of the Word, and faithful doers
too, but they had their own thoughts and resolved as well as
listened.
Probably the name of Capt. John Parker would have no
place in history had not the events and circumstances of the
times brought the British to Lexington. But do not the
results well show that no better man could have been chosen
to represent the colonists in their first defence? He was equal
to the emergency, and may we ever honor his name.
The whole country was equally alive and it needed only a
spark to kindle the fire of liberty, and any village might have
been the scene of the first resistance. The Lexington company
of minute-men, formed about 1774, comprised the principal
men of the town. John Parker was at that time 45 years of
age. He must have been a man of admitted character and
one who commanded the confidence of the people. When in
1774 and "75 the town made an effort to organize a company
of minute-men, we have a record over his signature in this
language, showing his military leadership, and seems the first
note of preparation to the bloody drama so soon to be enacted :
6
82 PARKER GENEALOGY.
"Lexington, March 14, 1775.
"Agreeable to the vote of the town I have received by the hands
of the Selectmen the drums — there were two — provided by the town
for the use of Military Company in this town until the further order
of the town.
John Parker."
There were in town at that period Lieut. Edmund Monroe
and Ens. Robert Monroe, both of whom had held commissions
in the French War, besides 25 or 30 more who had seen
service on the "tented field," and the fact that Parker was
selected to command that company and that these officers and
soldiers were willing to volunteer and serve under him, shows
that he was a man of more than ordinary ability and one to be
trusted in any emergency.
Capl. Parker shouldered his gun on the evening of the i8th
of April, left his home and seven young children, proceeded
to the village and there awaited the arrival of messengers from
Boston. He placed a guard composed of Sergt. Monroe and
eight men around Rev. John Clark's house, where the hunted
patriots, John Hancock and Samuel Adams, were that night
stopping. Paul Revere arrived in Lexington at midnight.
He immediateh' gave the alarm at the parson's house. At
two in the morning Capt. Parker caused the alarm to be
sounded from the belfrj' on Lexington green and by the beat-
ing of drums. The minute-men hastened from their firesides,
and all finally assembled upon the common. The night being
cool the company was soon dismissed with orders to assemble
again at the beat of the drum. The greater portion retired to
Buckman's tavern near the place of parade. At half-past
four Parker called the roll of his company, forming the line
near the meeting-house. He then commanded —
"Every man of you who is equipped follow me, and those of you
who are not go into the meeting-house and furnish himself from the
magazine and immediately join the company."
Afterward came the order to load the guns. As the British
approached and the little band of 60 stood before 600 dis-
ciplined troops, a few of them naturally for a moment faltered,
Capt. Parker sternly replied, "The first man who offers to
run shall be shot down." When the British halted and
PARKER GENKAI.fUJV.
83
84 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Pitcairn cried out "Disperse, ye villians, ye rebels," etc., our
Captain showed his cool and prudent judgment in evading the
mighty disaster which aggression on the part of his troops
would have been, by firmly ordering, "Don't fire unless fired
upon, but if they want a war let it begin here." He was
always gentlemanly. As he stood before the British host no
profane sentence sullied his lips, sorely tempted though he
may have been in the peril and excitement of that hour.
What a contrast did the language of the American commander
present to that of Maj. Pitcairn, when, with oaths, he dis-
charged his pistol and ordered his men to fire. They over-
shot and no one was injured, but at their second discharge
nearly one-fourth of the little compan}^ were killed or wounded.
The little band then returned the fire with some effect and
the war was begun ! The British charged upon them, upon
which perilous state of affairs Capt. Parker ordered his men,
"Disperse and take care of yourselves." With a cheer the
British resumed their march, having first bayoneted Jonas
Parker, who was determined to face the British. He was
Capt. Parker's cousin and the first man bayoneted in our
American Revolution. (See page 50.) Far better would it
have been for Major Pitcairn and his command to have re-
flected from the brave resistance shown by Jonas Parker of
the probable reception awaiting them. Far better for his men
if he had then and there wheeled around and marched back
to Boston. How heartily the example offered by Parker,
together with the fate of the other victims, was told from mouth
to mouth, and how the minute-men responded b}^ their pres-
ence that day !
Capt. Parker had not only trained his company but had
formed an "Alarm List," as was the custom, to which the
boys and old men belonged. He trained all who could carry
a musket, and during the day many of them got in chance
shots at the enemy, and some of the boys carried water in
wooden bowls to the men. Besides Capt. Parker and his
cousin Jonas Parker, there was the latter's nephew. Corporal
Ebenezer Parker, and the Captain's brother, Thaddeus Parker,
who were in the fight that day. It is shown in another part
how Ebenezer's father, Thomas Parker, defended his family
PARKER GENEALOGY. 85
and property from British insult, although he was still con-
fined to his house. In the forenoon Capt. Parker gathered
the remainder of his company and marched toward Concord
to intercept the British at the best advantage. In Lincoln, as
they saw the enemy returning, he led the men into an open
field, and they fired once more upon the enemy. Troops
from Woburn, Acton, Reading and other towns had arrived.
From Woburn were Captain Parker's nephews, Edmund and
Josiah Parker. From Reading came 17 who bore the name
of Parker, who, under command of Capt. Brooks, kept up a
hot fire upon the enemy's column during the remainder of the
day.
In the following May John Parker led a part of his company,
45 men, to Cambridge, upon order of the Provincial Congress,
and they served from the sixth to the tenth. Again on the
day of the battle of Bunker Hill he was with 69 men at Cam-
bridge ready for action. He was not in perfect health on the
day of the battle of Lexington. At Bunker Hill he was too
ill to be allowed to enter the turmoil of the battle, so he dis-
contentedly commanded troops who guarded the "Neck" that
day. He was never well afterwards and an epidemic dysen-
tery in September found him an eas}^ prey. He died at an
early age for his long-lived family, aged 46, Sept. 17, 1775.
He who was so brave and true at the beginning of the struggle
saw not the end nor the glory.
His direct descendant, Elizabeth Parker of Lexington,
writes of him :
" I think one can say of John Parker, althoiiojh perhaps a man
plain and simple like his name, he must have been a man ot" some
mental and much executive ability, a man of strong will, bold, earn-
est and daring — wise, prudent and determined. A man sure of his
convictions and true to his convictions. Jonathan Harrington, the
last survivor of the battle, said that ' He looked as though he could
face anything,' and most bravely did he face the responsibilities and
dangers of that trying time."*
It has been eloquently said of him :
" But Parker commanded more than that little company who
stood on yonder green ; he led the embattled host that ])artook of his
♦Extract from an article entitled Capt. John Parker, written for and pre-
served by the Lexington Historical Society in its publications.
86 PARKER GENEALOGY.
and their spirit henceforth. When he rallied his men in the after-
noon of that signal day he prefigured our noble army, which again
and again, with thinned ranks and amid fallen comrades, returned to
the dread fields of that long and bloody struggle."*
At the Lexington homestead is preserved Capt. Parker's
affidavit of the actions of the 19th of April, very valuable to
history as his official account of the direct cause of the Revolu-
tionary War. It is here copied in full.
•' Lexington, April 23, 1775.
"I, John Parker of lawful age, and commander of the militia in
Lexington, do testify and declare that on the 19th inst. in the morn-
ing about one of the Clock, being informed that there were a num-
ber of Regular oliicers riding up & down the road, taking and insult-
ing people, and also was informed that the Regular troops were on
their march 'from Boston, in order to take the Province Store at
Concord, immediately ordered our militia to meet on the common in
Said Lexington, to consult what to do, and concluded not to be dis-
covered nor to meddle or make with said Regular Troops, (if they
should approach) unless they should insult or molest us ; and upon
their sudden approach I immediately ordered our militia to disperse
and not to fire ; immediately said Troops made their appearance and
Rushed furiously to & fired upon and Killed Eight of our party with-
out Receiving any provocation therefor from us.
"Midd'" ss April y* 23'' 1775.
" The Above named John Parker appeared and made Solemn
Oath to the truth of the within deposition by him subscribed before
us.
John Cuming \
Jon" : Hastings > Justices of Peace."
Duncan Ingraham j
In the Massachusetts Senate Chamber there hangs two
muskets, priceless relics, appropriate memorials to the State
of Capt. Parker, the gift of his grandson. Rev. Theodore
Parker. On one, Capt. Parker's own light fowling-piece,
which he carried at Quebec and Lexington, is inscribed:
£y^
*A. B. Muzzy, April 19, 1871, a descendant of Isaac Muzzy, who was killed
in the battle of Lexinsrton.
parker genealogy. 87
"This Firearm was used by
Capt. John Parker
In the Battle of Lexington,
April 19,
1775."
And on the other, which he took from a grenadier in Cam-
bridge on the 17th of June :
"The First Fire Arm
Captured in the
War of Independence."
These invaluable mementos were received by the State
with appropriate ceremonies, and are conspicuously suspended
for public view in the Senate Chamber of th^ State House.
May they ever be prized with reverence, and "Tell to our
sons how our fathers have died."
In the year 1884 the town appropriated the sum of $1,500
to mark spots of historic interest in Lexington, and among
others the grave where his remains were supposed to rest
received a substantial and fitting monument bearing this in-
scription :
" To THE Memory of Capt. John Parker,
Commander of the Minute-men, April 19TH, i775'
Born July 13TH, 1729, Died September 17T11, 1775.
The Town erects this Memorial.
1884."
Their children were :
Lydia Parker, b. Nov. 8, 1756.
46. Anna Parker, b. Jan. 11, 1759 ; m. March 16, 178 1, Ephraim
Pierce of Waltham.
47. John Parker, b. Dec. 7, 1761 ; m. Feb. 17, 1785. Hannah
Stearns of Lexington.
48. Isaac Parker, b. May ii, 1763 ; m. in Charleston, S. C.
49. Ruth Parker, b. Dec. 7, 1765; m. Nov. 14, 1787, David
Bent ; removed to Nova Scotia.
50. Rebecca Parker, b. June 28. 176S: m. PettM" Clarke of
Watertown.
51. Robert Parker, b. April 15, 1771 ; m. Oct. 22, 1794,
Elizabeth Simonds of Lexington.
88
PARKER GENEALOGY.
18. Thaddeus Parker (yosmh,\ Jokn,^ Hanam'ak,^
Tkofuas^ ), son of Josiah and Anna (Stone) Parker, b. in
Lexington, Sept. 2, 1731 : m. May 27, 1759, Mary Reed,
b. July 17, 1751, dau. of William and Abigail (Stone) Reed.
He sold in 1761 to his brother, John Parker of Lexington,
The accompanying engraving shows the appearance of the homestead as it
was at this time. It is the house which stood upon the place when the estate
passed into the ownership of John Parker of Reading in 1712. It also shows
the old belfry building which, previous to the nineteenth century, stood on
the common, on the site of the present monument, and from which in 1775
went forth those peals of alarm which called the patriots to arms on the morn-
ing of the 19th of April. Although the old house has been replaced by
another the belfry still stands at the Parker homestead.
The Parker Homestead.
In this ancient house several generations of large families were born. Here
was also born the Rev. Theodore Parker, who in early life drew the picture
which is here shown. He wrote in regard to it as follows: "It faced as
near the south as the rude science of the owner or builder could make it,
and so was a perpetual sun dial. It had but one chimney, that a huge one
in the centre of the building. The large bricks, made half a mile oft", were
laid in clay as far as the ridge pole, while the part of the chimney above the
roof was pointed with mortar. Limestone was not found within many miles,
and the want of it was a serious inconvenience in building. The house, like
all the others in that neighborhood, was two stories high in front and only
one in the rear. The rooms were few but large and airy, the windows not
numerous, of various size, but all small; originally all the latches, except
PARKER GENEALOGY. 89
afterwards captain, a part of his share of his father's, Lieut.
Josiah Parker, estate for £175. He lived in Lexington,
probably at or near the centre of the town. He was like his
brothers, and doubtless his ancestors, a strong, large boned,
muscular man. His career in Lexington stands out brightly
in two ways, first as a citizen, and second as a patriot. It
is a lamentable fact that of his large family there is not a
living descendant of this worthy man.
Thaddeus Parker was one of the selectmen in the years
preceding the Revolution, a period when the most important
duties of the town were devolved upon that board, and when
only mei} of true character and firm patriotism were chosen.
His name appears as assessor of the town of Lexington during
that of the ' fore-door,' were of wood with wooden thumb pieces, but these had
nearly all passed away before my recollection. The house, as it stood in my
day, had been built at different times, the eastern end being considerably
younger than the western, and not furnished with the massive oak beams
which everywhere stuck out in the older part. A New England farmer of
* comfortable estate ' would hesitate a good deal before setting up his house-
hold in such a cheerless shelter; but three generations of stout and longlived
men were born and grew up there, and if the fourth be more puny and sink
quicker to the grave, it is from no fault of the old house, but from the con-
sumption which such spongy meadows in New England seldom fail to pro-
duce in the course of time : even children, Avho have removed to healthier
situations, carrv with them the fatal poison in their blood, and transmit it to
their sons and daughters."
A history of the old belfry is found in Mr. C. A. Staples's ''Sketch of the
History of Lexington Common,'' published by the Lexington Historical Society,
from which I copy the following: "At a town meeting held in June, 1761,
Isaac Stone, as the record says : ' came into y^ meeting and gave y« town a
bell to be for v^ towns use forever; which bell was there and weighed 463 lbs.
— and y" moderator in y name of y meeting gave him thanks.'
"Accordingly the town set to work building a belfry for the bell, and the
building was finally settled upon the common. This was the famous bell
which rung the alarm on the morning of the 19th of April, 1775, whose tongue
is still preserved among the precious relics at the Gary Library, Lexington.
But when the new meeting-house was built in 1794 the belfry was sold to
John Parker, the father of Theodore Parker, and carried away to the Parker
homestead, where it long did duty as a wheelwright shop and where it is
still standing. Soon we trust, under the auspices of the Lexington Historical
Society, it will come creeping back, to find its final resting-place near the
spot of its birth. It should be placed on some height overlooking the village
and restored to its original form, a bell procured of the exact size of Dea.
Isaac Stone's gift, the old tongue put in it, and on every anniversary of the
19th of April it should be rung to let people know how the summons sounded
which called the minute-men to the common on that eventful morning."
^O PARKER GENEALOGY.
the years 1770, '71, '73 and '77. At a time of deep desponden-
cy, the closing months of 1776, when the patriot army was a
mere handful of ragged, disheartened men, he enlisted from
Lexington for a campaign in the Jerseys, there to join Gen.
Washington. This was during the retreat through New
Jersey, the battle of Trenton, when Washington crossed the
Delaware and turned the tables of his country's history, fol-
lowed b}^ the battles of Princeton, Brandy wine and German-
town, and it is probable that in all of these Mr. Parker assisted.
He was in the service at least eight months. He d. in Lex-
ington, Feb. 10, 1789. From the note-book of his nephew
John Parker we read :
"Lexington, February 12, 1789.
" Was intered Mr. Thaddeus Parker, Esq. aged 58, who died of a
motification in his bowels, it being the 6"* person that died in one
house since the 4"" day of September in the year 1787, whereof Mr.
Joseph Parker, brother of Thaddeus, was the first, who died of a
consumption, Polly Parker followed after and Bettey and Thaddeus
Parker, junr. and Sally Parker all of a consumption, and all children
of Thaddeus Parker."
Mary, widow of Mr. Parker, survived him many years.
She d. in Lexington, Oct. 9, 181 1, aged 73.
Their children were :
Mary Parker, b. Sept. 26, 1760; d. June 3, 1787, aged nearly 27.
Sarah Parker, b. Aug. 24, 1762 ; d. Feb. 2, 1789, aged 26.
Betty Parker, b. Aug. 28, 1764; d. Aug. 27, 1788, aged 24.
Thaddeus Parker, b. July 10, 1767; d. June 14, 1789, aged
nearly 22.
JosiAH Parker, b. Sept. 19, 1770. The estate of Thaddeus Parker
was appraised in 1789 at £726. 12s. I5d. Josiah was then the
sole heir to his father's property ; but he was not living, however,
1842, when Jonathan S. Parker of Lexington attested that Josiah
Parker was then deceased, that he had never married and thus had
left no issue. Therefore the Thaddeus branch of the Parker family
became extinct.
19. Joseph Parker (Josiah,^ Jokn,^ Hana^tiak,^
Thomas'), son of Lieut. Josiah and Anna (Stone) Parker, was
b. in Lexington, Nov. 28, 1733, the last child in the family
of eight. He m. July 5, 1759, Eunice Hobbs of Weston, b.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 9I
in Weston, April 22, 1741, the fourth in a family of eleven
children, dau. of Ebenezer and Eunice (Garfield)* Hobbs.
After the birth of their first child, in 1760, they settled in
T^incoln, where the births of the remainder of their children
are recorded. He must have owned property, however,
in Lexington, as by a deed bearing date of April 13, 1763,
to him from his cousin Thomas Parker, Esq., we read,
"Joseph Parker of Lexington, Husbandman." He probably
lived in Weston during the latter period of his life, for his
family were finally connected with that town. He seems to
have been a quiet farmer, and not particularly prominent in
town affairs. Although the town records of Lincoln do not
show his name on the muster-rolls of her Revolutionary sol-
diers, yet almost every male citizen there was a participant
and it is not at all probable that he staid away from danger
and duty.
She d. in Lincoln, Jan. 3, 1784. He d. in Lexington, as
we are informed by his nephew, Sept. 4, 1787, at the house
of his brother, Thaddeus Parker, Esq.
Their children were :
52. Susanna Parker, b. Dec. 31, 1760; probably m.
Gregory, t
53. Levi Parker, b. April 16, 1762; m. Mary Lyon of Hub-
bardston.
54. Lois Parker, b. Nov. 17, 1763 ; m. John Coburn of Weston.
Aaron Parker, b. Dec. 5, 1765 ; killed by the Indians, 1791- +
55. Joseph Parker, Jr., b. Oct. 4, 1767; m. Polly Fisk of Weston.
Jonathan Parker, b. Oct. 17, 1769. Inheriting a military spirit,
he was in the St. Clair expedition against the Indians. In this he
perished as did his brother Aaron.
* She, Eunice Garfield, was one of the twelve children of Lt. Thomas Gar-
field, a sturdy and prosperous citizen of Watertown. Among the brothers
and sisters of Eunice were Isaac, Samuel, Anna, and Elisha, thus showing the
origin of these names in Levi Parker's children and grandchildren.
t Uriah Grigory of Weston belonged to the minute-men of that town; but
we know not the given name of Susanna Parker's husband.
JAaron Parker shared the military spirit of his family. His brother Levi,
nearly four years his senior, was just old enough to participate in the last part
of the Revolution. The time soon came when Aaron was able to lend his
hand for his country against the Indians, who, encouraged by British officers,
barred all western emigration and who were, 1790, scalping inhabitants and
92
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Elisha Parker, b. Dec. 7, 1772; d. in 1773.
56. Elisha Parker, b. Sept. 10, 1775 ; m. Jerusha 1
Wentworth of Weston. '
57. Rebecca Parker, b. Sept. 10, 1775 ; m. Elisha 1
Rand of Weston. J
Twins.
20. Peter Parker ('yio/^w, 4 'John,^ Hananiak,^ Thomas^ )^
son of John and Experience (Clayes) Parker, b. in Framing-
ham, Oct. 3, 1738, succeeded upon his father's homestead;
m. Dec, 8, 1761, Ruth Eaton, b. in Framingham, Feb. 16,
1744, dau. of Noah and Hannah (Vinton) Eaton. He was
also a cordwainer ; with wife was admitted to the Church in
1763. He was a leading citizen of his town ; was one of the
Committee of Correspondence in the stirring times of the Rev-
olutionary war ; was one of the committee to provide for the
families of the soldiers who enlisted into the Continental army,
and which committee was continued with full powers from
year to year : assisted in Church affairs ; selectman 1777, '79^
'80, '81, '82 ; town treasurer 1783. 'S6. During and following
the war the prices on goods were very fluctuating, and the
town chose a committee of ten men, Peter Parker being one,
to state the prices of labor, country produce, manufactures,
innholders' charges, etc. ; was on a committee of fifteen to
examine the new Constitution, May, 1780: was constable and
collector, and was a member of the Framingham company
of alarm soldiers, under Capt. Emmes, in the French and
Indian war, 1757.
burning the towns along the frontier. With his brother Jonathan, Avho it
seems also inherited a love for liberty, he joined the national troops in Penn-
sylvania in the Indian troubles of 1790. Their success w^as varied. Finally,
under Gen. St. Clair, they were among the force of 2,000 men who proceeded
westward and at last arrived at the southeastern head-waters of the Wabash,
at about where the division of Ohio and Indiana now is. They had encamped
for their first night on this wooded plain, and were preparing breakfast, Nov.
4, 1791, when the Indians rushed furiously upon them. A stout resistance
did not prevent a bad defeat and retreat, the loss to the 2,000 being 800 killed
and missing. This was known as St. Clair's defeat by the Indians, and in
this Aaron and Jonathan Parker are said to have perished. This ended St.
Clair's career, and in 1793, Gen. Anthony Wayne having assumed command,
sent a strong detachment to the scene of the defeat who buried the bleaching
bones of 600 men and built Fort Recovery. Aaron Parker was aged 26 and
Jonathan aged 22 at the time of St. Clair's defeat.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 93
"An incident occurred in 1777 which made a lasting impression
on the public mind. While Mr. Wheaton was supplying the pulpit
he negotiated for the purchase of a horse, and arranged with Mr.
John Clayes, who lived at Salem End, where is now the L. O.
Emerson house, to examine and try the animal. June 3, a little
before noon, some of the neighbors came together to witness the
trial. Besides Mr. Clayes there were present Abraham Rice, Peter
Parker, Simon Pratt and his son Ephraim. Mr. Parker mounted the
horse and had ridden to a considerable distance away, when a small
cloud suddenly came up from the northwest. On his return, the
company, who had been in the house during his absence, came out
towards the road. A few drops of rain were at this moment falling.
As Mr. Parker rode up Mr. Clayes stepped outside the gate, leaving
the others leaning against the fence within, and just as he took the
horse by the bridle the lightning struck the party and prostrated them
all on the ground. Mr. Clayes, Mr. Rice and the horse were
instantly killed. Mr. Parker lay as if dead, but gradually recovered
consciousness, though a long time elapsed before he fully regained
his health. The boy who was standing a short distance from the
rest recovered immediately. Mr. Pratt came to slowly and suffered
from the .stroke for a long time. The horse was struck in the head
and marks of the lightning were visible down both forelegs. The
party all wore woolen clothes and were all singed in body and dress.
There was but this single flash of lightning from the cloud and only
a few drops of rain." — Tejnple.
The wife, Ruth (Eaton) Parker, d. March 20, 1800. Peter
Parker d. Nov. 5, 1803, aged 65.
Their children were :
58. John Parker, b. Nov. 16, 1763 ; m. Deborah Lamb of Fram-
ingham.
59. Nathan Parker, b. Oct. 33, 1764; m. Catherine Murdock
of Newton.
60. Abigail Parker, b. Dec. 15, 1766; m. Lovell Howe of
Marlborough.
61. Ruth Parker, b. Jan. S, 1769; m. Joseph Bigelow. Jr., of
Holliston.
62. Experience Parker, b. Feb. 19, 1771 ; ni. Dea. Lutlier
Haven of Framingham.
63. Patty Parker, b. April 15, 1773; m. Eleazer Bullard of
Holliston.
64. Sally Parker, b. May 35, 1775; m. William Eames of
Holliston.
94
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Peter Parker, b. March i6, 1777; d. Dec. 17, 1784.
65. JosiAH Parker, b. April 26, 1779; m. Olive Stone of Fram-
ingham.
66. Artemas Parker, b. Dec. 20, 1781 ; m. Almy Clark of
Framingham.
Anne Parker, b. April 25, 17S4; d. Jan. 8, 1785.
Peter Parker, b. July 10. 1787 ; d. May 7, 1788.
21. Submit Parker (Jo/in,^ Jokn,^ Hananmh,^
Thomas'), dau. of John and Experience (Clayes) Parker, b.
in Framingham, Dec. 3, 1742 ; m. Thomas Bent, Jr., b. July
4, 1738. He was the fourth generation in descent from the
emigrant ancestor, John Bent, who came from Penton, Eng.,
in the ship Conscience, in 1638, and settled in Sudbury. He,
Thomas, bought June 14, 1764, of Elias Whitney 60 acres
(the Joel Coolidge place), which he sold 1786 to Jos. Bixby.
He bought June 13, 1766, of James Glover, 31 acres, the old
Dr. Timothy Merriam place, which he sold 1785. He built
the old Dr. Merriam house ; was taxed 1787 ; probably d. that
year.
The children recorded in Framingham were :
Alvan Bent. b. June 3, 1769 ; m. Olive Rice.
Polly Bent, b. April 5, 1771.
Betsey Bent, bap. July 18, i779-
22. Eunice Parker (yonas,^ Andrezv,^ 'John,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Jonas and Lucy (Monroe) Parker,
m. June 9, 1772, Asa Morse of Newton, b. Dec. 30, 1748 ; d.
1815. Was a descendant of the fifth generation from Samuel
Morse, who came to America 1635, and settled at Dedham
1637.
They lived at Newton for many years. He m. as 2nd wife
Parthena Wetherbee and resided at Sturbridge. The children
may not all have been by Eunice Parker.
Their children were :
Parker L. Morse, who m. and had Emeline. She m. Jedediah
Bottom of Southbridge.
Lucy Morse.
Polly Morse.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 95
WiLLARD Morse.
IsA Morse, lived in Southbridge. He is now deceased and left no
issue.
Moses Morse.
23. Jonas Parker ( Jonas, ^Andrew, '^ 'John.T'Hananiah,^
Thomas^), son of Jonas and Lucy (Monroe) Parker, was b.
in Lexington, July 10, 1753; m. Aug. 15, 1776, Martha
Hasley of Billerica. He was a wheelwright, following the
trade of his ancestors. He succeeded to his father's estate,
and with Martha, his wife, was admitted to the Church Feb.
28, 1779. Just well started in life, however, he d. July 14,
1783, and his widow administered on his estate.
Their children were :
Patty Parker, bap. May 16, 1779.) rp .
Betty Parker, bap. May 16, 1779.)
John H. Parker, bap. Nov. 26, 1780.
Jonas Parker, b. March 2, 1783.
It is probable that these children removed from town with
the mother soon after 1783, as no records are found of them
after that date. May the descendants of these children, if anv
there be, let it be known who they are and where they may
be found.
24. Philemon Parker (Jonas,^ Andrczv.^ JoJnu^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Jonas and Lucy (Monroe)
Parker, was b. in Lexington in 1755. After the decease of
his father he removed to Princeton, where his uncle Thomas
Parker, Esq., and son Ebenezer Parker had already settled.
He purchased of Thomas Parker in 1787 apart of the "Black
Grove Farm" for £600. He lived at the spot where is now
a cellar-hole, not far from the Keyes place in East Princeton.
He purchased a grist-mill and mill privilege of Ebenezer
Parker in 1800. He owned a kit of boot maker's tools and
was familiar with the trade. He lived later for a time in
Sturbridge, then in Richmond, N. H., and in Peru, Vt., after
which he settled in Chester, Vt., where he lived a few \cars.
His wife was probably Susan Stone, by whom all the children
were born. She d. April 17, 1812, aged 52. He then went
96 PARKER GENEALOGY.
to live in Richmond, N. H., where he built the large two-story
house for Elisha Perry.* He was a good carpenter. They
lived together in the house until 1822, the former working at
his trade, the latter cultivating the farm. He m. 2nd in 1814,
Rhoda Bump Boyce of Richmond, N. H. She was the dau.
of Jacob Bump.f one of the earliest settlers of Richmond.
Her first husband was Jacob Boyce, who was killed by the
kick of a horse.' He returned to Chester, Vt., and there he
d. Feb. 7, 1829, aged 74 years.
The children were :
Sullivan Parker, b. probably 17S3 ; d. April 26, 1827.
Jonas Parker, b. July i, 1785 ; d. Dec. 29, 1810. -\
67. Sally Parker, b. July i, 1785; ni. Samuel Burt Twins,
of Newton. j
68. Nancv Parker, b. Sept. 28, 17S6; m. Timothy Wyman of
Chester, Vt.(?)
Anna Parker, b. probably 1787; d. "Feb. 14, 1811, aged 19."!
Nathan Parker, b. 17S8; d. "Dec. 19, 1810. aged 22."
Susannah Parker, b. probably 1789; d. "Jan. 14, 181 1, aged 2r."
LuciNDA Parker, b. probably 1793; m. John Jacobs; d. "Feb.
12, 1815, aged 21."
69. Luther Parker, b. April 7, 1796; m. Dolly Byam "\
ofTempleton. -Twins.
70. Cal\in Parker, b. April 7, 1796: m. Seba Cutler. J
71. John Parker, b. in Princeton, June 11, 1798.
25. Anna Parker (Amos,^ Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiak,^
Thomas^), dau. of Amos and Anna C. (Stone) Parker, was
b. in Holden, Oct. 6, 1746; m. Feb. 28, 1788, Dea. Jonas
Stone of Shrewsbury as his second wife. He was an ardent
friend of his country in her Revolutionar}^ struggle ; repre-
sented the town in General Court, when held at Watertown,
*Hon. Amos A. Parker of Fitzwilliam, N. H., writes: "I knew Elisha
Perrv verv well, his farm adjoined Fitzwilliam line, and he did his store busi-
ness here. I have been to his house, — a large two-story house of some sixteen
rooms. He had a good large farm and was a good farmer and a man of
property."
+ Jacob Bump came to Richmond from Smithfield, R. I., Sept. 29, 1760. He
d. Dec. 17, 1829, aged 92. He had ten children, of whom Rhoda was the sixth.
+ The record of Anna, Nathan, Susannah, and Lucinda Parker is found in
Philemon Parker's family Bible.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 97
Mav 19, 1775, and rendered long and important services in
town and parish affairs. He d. March 22, 1809, aged 83 ;
his widow then, Jan. 18, 1810, m. Dea. Ebenezer Reed, then
of Shrewsbury, but afterwards of Worcester. She left no issue.
26. Amos Parker (Amos,^ Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas'), son of x\mos and Anna C. (Stone) Parker, was
b. in Holden, Sept. 26, 1748; m. in Barre, by the Rev.
Joseph Dana, Dec. 25, 1771, Lucy R. Robinson of Barre. Her
father, Dennison Robinson, was an intimate friend of Andrew
Parker, Jr., lived near him in Rutland District and sold him
land there in 1777. It seems that his family was brought into
notice of the Shrewsbury Parkers through Andrew Parker.
Great farm. No. i, of Hubbardston, lay in the west corner of
the town, and contained 481 acres of new timber land,* the
Burnshirt river and the valuable water supply which now
feeds the Williamsville Mills. Upon the marriage of his son,
Amos Parker, Sr., made him a possessor of part of his Hub-
bardston estate, and they removed there immediately follow-
ing. The next 3^ear he bought 93 acres more of his father.
The remainder of the land was sold partly to "Mr. Dennison
Robinson of Rutland," who took 98 acres, and to his brother,
"Thomas Parker, together with John Chandler, both of Lex-
ington, Gentlemen."
Dennison Robinson m. at Rochester, Mass., Oct. 12, 1752,
Martha, dau. of Elijah Perry of Sandwich. They removed
to Rutland District (Barre) in 1754, ^^^ their dau. Lucy R.
was there b. March i, 1755. Her grandfather was James
Robinson, whose wife was Patience, dau. of Samuel Ruggles
*At an earlj day the Willard family purchased a tract 12 miles square of the
Indians. Thev named the N. W., E., and N. E. divisions Rutland, the E. wing
Princeton, and the W. wing Oakham. They first offered " Rutland" for com-
mon settlement, and made two divisions, viz. : the N. W. district which was
named Hubbardston, and the N. E. district Barre. The land was then divided
into great and small farms. The name of the town which has bounded Great
P'arm No. i, on the north has been changed five times. It was first " Narra-
gansett No. 6," and which name we find mentioned in an early deed of the
place; later it was called "Gerry," afterwards changed to Phillipston, then
the Burnshirt river was made to divide Templeton, a part of original Phillips-
ton, and present Phillipston the remainder.
7
98 PARKER GENEALOGY.
of Roxbury. James was son of Thomas, and this Thomas
was son of Thomas Robinson.
Amos Parker, Jr., was joined soon by his brother Isaac
Parker, who lived on the same Great Farm with Amos for
four years and then removed to Westborough. Their cousin
Levi Parker was their neighbor as well.
Amos Parker was thus a first settler and one of the builders
of the town of Hubbardston. He was a very worthy citizen,
esteemed and loved by all. He was, it is needless to say, a
man of much and varied ability, and a successful farmer.
He extended his possessions into "Gerry," besides owning
"a mill spot in Templeton adjoining with mill and buildings
thereon." He d. 1801, at the early age of 53 ; she d. 1845,
aged 90.
The dates of birth of the children of Amos and Lucy
(Robinson) Parker have not all been ascertained, but their
names and order of birth were as follows :
72. LuciNDA Parker, m. Nathaniel Bangs.
73. Joseph Parker, b. i772(?) ; m. Relief Earl.
74. Sylvester Parker, b. May 31, 1774; ni. Alice Davis.
75. Patty Parker, m. • Felton, and had a son Horatio.
A child, b. and d.
76. Dana R. Parker, b. Nov. 4, 17S1 ; m. Sarah Williams.
77. Amory Parker, b. Dec. 8, 1783 ; m. Lydia Parker.
78. Lucy Parker, m. Jan. 13, 181 3, Sihis Richardson.
Amos Parker, b. ; d. in boyhood.
27. Isaac Parker (Amos,^ Andrezv,"^ John,^ Hana-
niah,- Thomas^), son of Amos and Anna C. (Stone) Parker,
was b. in Shrewsbury, July 15, 1750; m. May 16, 1770,
Marger}' Maynard of Westborough, b. Dec. 30, 1749. He
was probably named in memory of Isaac Stone of Lexington,
who in 1768 showed his good will by a deed of gift of five
acres of land in Shrewsbury to Isaac Parker, with the follow-
ing testimonial :
"for and in consideration of the aftectson which I have towards
Isaac Parker of Shr. in Co. of Wore. Minor, and second son of
Amos Parker of s"^ Shr. and in Con. of being called Isaac and for
divers other Good Causes & Cons me herunto moving."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 99
He served in the Revolutionary war. His services have
not been ascertained, but it is known that he was honored
with the title of Lieut, as is recorded upon the Westborough
records. After marriage he removed to Hubbardston, where his
brother Amos had already settled, and remained three years.
In 1773 he bought a farm in the west part of Princeton ; was
miller and farmer. Then in 1777 he bought 80 acres in West-
borough of David Maynard, and there settled for life. He
dealt with Joseph Baker, later of Bakersfield, Vt., and bought
largely in Westborough. He was an energetic farmer ; had
also saw-mills and dams. He lived one mile southwest of the
village, adjoining the old Maynard homestead.
His death occurred Jan. 16, 1798. This death was the first
out of the seven sons. Judge Nahum Parker of Fitzwilliam,
N. H., informed his brother, Rev. Frederick Parker of Canter-
bury, N. H., of the sad event. The latter replied in a loving
manner by letter dated Feb. 20, 1798, as follows :
" Exactly as you anticipated I received & opened your letter,
looked first to the name of the signer, finding that it came from my
well beloved B"". N pleased myself with the expectation of news,
&c., in the usual entertaining way, but soon I found it to contain
news indeed — Am Sorry to hear of Betsey's illness. B^ HoUis, for
former deaths and present sickness in his family has my sympathy —
But how was I astonished beyond all measure to learn of the calami-
tous tidings from Westborough — Alas poor Isaac ! who showed me
his mill and presented me with a neat box filled with maple sugar
the first year he lived at Princeton when I was but a child & first
went so far from home. — Who visited me at Cambridge, and lent me
money to help me out of college — came from Westboro to Casco Bay
more than 150 miles to see me and was always good to me ; at whose
house both you and I have often been treated with good cheer but
what was more with right true brotherly love.
" Even he has paid his debt to nature and well may all of us be
sorrowful that now we shall ' see his face no more.' Many have
been his kindnesses to me and the recollection of which is both
pleasing and painful. It seems now as I never had thanked him
enough and certain it is I never knew before how much I loved him."
Widow Margery Maynard Parker d. April 20 or 30, 1801.
Their children were :
lOO PARKER GENEALOGY.
79. Joel Parker, b. in Hubbardston, Sept. i6, 1770; m. Hannah
Bond, native of Marlborough.
80. Gardiner Parker, b. in Hubbardston, March 4, 1772; m.
Asenath Sherman.
81. Otis Parker, b. in Princeton, April i, 1774; m. (i) Polly
Ann Nourse of Westborough, (2) Kendall.
82. Jabez Maynard Parker, b. in Princeton, Aug. 9, 1776; m.
Nancy Patterson of Framingham.
Lucy Parker, b. in Westborough, Aug. z^j, 1778 ; d. Oct. 5, 1795.
Anna Parker, b. in Westborough, May 25, 17S1 ; d. Nov. 7, 1795.
83. Sophia Parker, b. in Westborough, Dec. 30, 17S3; m.
Stephen Green.
84. David Parker, b. in Westborough, May i, 1785; m. Betsey
Eager of Northborough.
85. Lewis Parker, b. in Westborough, March i, 1787; m.
Elizabeth Seaver of Sterling.
28. Hollis Parker (Amos,^ A7idrew,\ yohn,^^ Hana-
niah,- T/iomas'), son of Amos and Anna C. (Stone) Parker,
was b. in Shrewsbury, Oct. 2, 1752. He served in the
Revolutionary war. He m. 1775, Louisa Bragg of Royalston,
who was b. in Northborough, June 27, 1754. They settled in
Hubbardston, where in 1774 his father, of Shrewsbury, trans-
ferred 95 acres of his ''Great Farm No. one" in Hubbardston
to him. This was in the western corner of the town. He
lived in the near neighborhood of his brother Amos Parker,
Esq., of Hubbardston. He later, with his brother Isaac
Parker, removed to the eastern corner of the town, where they
lived as neighbors upon the same "Great Farm." It was here
where their distant cousin, Levi Parker, native of Lincoln,
lived, who was also a Revolutionary veteran. This "Great
Farm" was afterward set oft' to Princeton, in which town
Hollis Parker lived a few years. He returned to Shrewsbury
in 1 791, when he succeeded to his father's homestead and
bought oft' all his kindred's shares, and lived thereon until his
death, the place passing in his declining years into the posses-
sion of his son. Dr. Amos Parker, and by this name, "The
Dr. Parker place," the old Shrewsbury Parker homestead is
known to this day. He kept the appearance of the estate
pretty much the same as in his father's time, as he himself
told his nephew, A. A. Parker of Fitzwilliam, N. H.. who is
PARKER GENEALOGY. lOI
Still living (1892). He loved his relatives: he appreciated
their society and worth. He once travelled from Shrewsbury
to Bakersfield, Vt., over 150 miles, to visit his brother and
family. At another time we find him in Portland, Me., with
his brothers Frederick and Isaac, at about the year 1780. He
is remembered by his nephew as a man of strong physique,
possessing much intellectual power and fond of learning. He
was a man of noble nature, but was unfortunate in his marriage.
Their children were :
Mary Jennisox Parker, d. in infancy.
A son, d. in infancy.
86. Amos Parker, b. in Hubbardston, Oct, 17. 1777 ; m. Elizabeth
Whitney of Bolton.
87. Mary Jexnison Parker, b. in Hubbardston, July 31, 17S0;
m. (i) Josiah Harrington, (3) Asahel Allen.
Silas Parker, d. young.
Frederick Parker, d. young.
88. SiLANCE Parker, b. Oct. 17, 17S6 ; m. James Hall of Shrews-
bury.
Silas Parker, b. Oct. 17, 1788; d. 1836, unm.
Anna Parker, b. Dec. 23, 1790. Ir^y •
Betsey Parker, b. Dec. 23, 1790. J
HoLLis Parker, b. in Shrewsbury, March 23, 1793 ; m. Nov. 13,
1817, Pamelia Ann Pease, dau. of Levi Pease, Jr. They removed
from town. They may have had issue, but I have no record of
them.
Henry Parker, b. in Shrewsbury, May 10, 1795 ; m. iSi^, Sarah
Fuller of Phillipston. She d. in Shrewsbury, May 4, 1S19, aged
23. Of his issue or history little is known.
29. Maj. Elisha Parker (Amos.s Andrczv,^ Jo/iu,^
Ifanantah,^ Thomas^), son of Amos and Anna C. (Stone)
Parker, b. 1754; served in the Revolutionary war; m. Sally,
dau. of Esq. Joseph Baker and wife Martha Death of West-
borough. He was a man of energy and enterprise, and
dealt largely in land. In Templeton, Westminster, Winchen-
don, Sterling and Phillipston he bought and sold much origi-
nal land. He first settled in Templeton, where, until about
1788, he was quite active in the early settlement of the town.
He then removed to Gerry, of which town he was an early
I02 PARKER GENEALOGY.
and influential settler. This is now Phillipston. He lived in
the house and upon the farm now occupied by J. Damon
Parker of that town. From this place he again entered the
U. S. service, enlisting as a private but returning as Major.
The father-in-law, Esq. Baker, was one of the early pio-
neers of Vermont. He removed through the settled part of
the State, pushed on beyond new towns into the virgin for-
ests to the northern part, where he founded and was the first
settler of the thriving town of Bakersfield. It was one year
before his wife and daughter saw the face of a woman, then
Stephen Maynard, their son-in-law, and wife came. They
were followed in 1800 by Maj. Elisha Parker and family, and
later by his nephews. In this way Bakersfield was settled for
the most part by Mr. Baker's descendants. Maj. Parker settled
in the south part of the town. He was a worthy citizen and a
kind father.
He was a fine singer, as quite a number of the family were.
And when he and his brother Nahum lived at Gerry, and they
two were in the singers' seats, no matter who else sang or did
not sing, the audience had very line singing. Nahum's voice
was for the bass, and Elisha sang the air or leading part and
had great compass of voice, which was bold, sonorous and
powerful. He could sound the highest notes with perfect ease
and no one could wish to hear a sweeter voice. Had he
turned his attention to music he might have been one of the
celebrities of the country.
He d. Nov. 9, 1818. His widow, Mrs. Sally (Baker)
Parker, survived him and went to live with her son, Jonas
Parker, until her death, which occurred Jan. 7, 1838.
Elisha Parker's commission is still preserved :
" By His Excellency Increase Suainer, Esq., Governor and
Commander in Chief of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
" Increase Sumner to Elisha Parker, Esquire. Greeting :
" You being appointed Major of the fifth Regiment in the Second
Brigade Seventh Division of the Militia of this Commonwealth, By
Virtue of the Power vested in me I do by these Presents (reposing
special Trust and Confidence in your Ability, Courage, and good
Conduct) Commission you accordingly : — You are, therefore, care-
fully and diligently to discharge the Duty of Major in Leading,
PARKER GENEALOGY. IO3
Ordering, and Exercising said Regiment in Arms, both inferior Offi-
cers and Soldiers ; and to keep them in good Order and Discipline :
and they are hereby commanded to obey you as their Major. And
you are yourself to observe and follow such orders and Instructions,
as you shall from Time to Time receive from me, or your superior
Officers.
"Given under my Hand, and the Seal of the Said Commonwealth
the fourth Day of September in the year of our Lord 1797, and in
the Twenty Second Year of the Independence of the United States
of America.
''John Avery, Sec'y."
His eldest dau., Sally E. Parker, thus wrote to her uncle
Nahum Parker, Esq., of Fitzwilliam, N. H., under date of
Nov. 14, 1818 :
" My Dear Uncle Nahum :
" Gladly would I save you the trouble of
reading a letter of my composing, but it must not be so — I must
write, tho it wrings my heart. Death has come boldly and resolutely
into our windows and taken my Dear Father and laid him low, even
in the grave. Yes, Dear Uncle, your Brother Elisha and my
Father, lies shrowded in the tomb ! ! He died on Monday morn,
about five oclock, aged almost sixty four. O Hard we find it to
part with our Father — There was everything done for him that could
be done ; my Mother waited on him by night and by day, and now
she bears up her trouble with Christian fortitude. We have always
been to my Father for advice, and now when we want his advice the
most we can not have it. Uncle, if you lived here what a benefit
you would be to us. We all join with Mother in sending love to
you and Aunt, and all your children. Dear Uncle, may we all be
prepared to meet Death, whenever it comes. Adieu.
" Sally E. Parker."
Their children were :
Sally E. Parker, b. Jan. 10, 1780 ; d. unm. at her brother Elijah's
home at Cambria, N. Y. She was a school-teacher, a very
accomplished and remarkable lady.
89. Betsey Parker, b. March 35, 17S2; m. Gardner Paige,
native of Ilardwick.
90. Lydia Parker, b. March 8, 17S4 ; m, Amory Parker (cousin),
native of Hubbardston.
I04 PARKER GENEALOGY.
91. Elisha Parker, b. Nov. 23, 1787 ; m. Eunice Dean")
of Barnard, Vt. 1 .
92. Elijah Parker, b. Nov. 23, 1787 ; m. Rhody Butler 1
of Fairfield, Vt. j
93. Patty Parker, b. May 3, 1790; m. Elijah Barnes.
Francis D. Parker, b. May 13, 1792 ; d. Feb. 9, 1793.
Francis Dana Parker, b. July 18, 1794. He removed from town
but where he settled is not known.
Augusta Parker, b. May 29, 1796; d. April 3, 1809.
94. James Sullivan Parker, b. Aug. i, 1798.
95. Jonas Parker, b. Sept. 15, 1800; m. Lima Freeman, native
of Barnard, Vt.
Frederick Parker, b. Aug. 10, 1802 ; d. Dec. 4, 1804.
Frederick Parker, b. April 11, 1805 ; d. May 7, 1809.
30. Ephraim Parker ( Amos, ^ Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hana
niah,'^ Thomas^), the fifth son of Amos and Anna (Stone)
Parker, was b. in Shrewsbury, Oct. 4, 1757 ; d. Dec. i, 1810,
aged 53 years.
[The following sketch was written by Hon. Amos A.
Parker of Fitzwilliam, N. H., who still survives, aged 100
years, to tell us the true story of the olden time :]
Ephraim Parker was a Revolutionary soldier, but the time
of service cannot be ascertained. There were seven brothers
and all but the youngest went into the army. The latter,
Frederick Parker, was too young to be a soldier, but he was
also a firm patriot and wrote encouraging letters to his brothers
while in actual service ; some of them are now before me.
Ephraim Parker, after the Revolution, went to Royalston
and resided there a few years, then removed to Fitzwilliam,
N. H., in 1786, and settled on two lots of land in the west part
of the town and bordering on Richmond town line. After he
had cleared land and erected a comfortable house he m.
Abigail Baker of Royalston. She was a cousin of Abel
Baker, one of the earliest settlers of the town of Fitzwilliam,
and her residence was near that of her cousin ; so they were
neighbors during life.
Ephraim Parker was a good and successful farmer. He
owned some 200 acres of good land, which he so well culti-
vated that in time it became one of the best farms in town.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I05
He had two large barns, sheds, corn-barns, etc., all in their
season well filled of the products of the farm, such as hay,
grain and vegetables. He had much to sell besides supplying
his own family. He was a man of good judgment, honest and
exact in all his dealings, and might have filled many of the
offices of the town, but he would not take any, though often
urged to do so. And the only office he was ever known to
take was that of highway surveyor in his own district. On
being asked the reason of his declining all office, he said he
preferred \\\s farm, oih^rs, ^preferred o^cq, and so his course
of life was gratifying to himself, and to his fellow-citizens also,
and therefore was a wise course to take.
He lived on a farm bordering on the Richmond town line
on the west, and my father, Nahum Parker, lived on a lot
bordering on the Rindge town line on the east, so they were
as far apart as they could be and live in the same town. Six
miles of the town was between them, but as the roads were at
the time it was one mile further, but notwithstanding the seven
miles the families frequently visited, generally on horseback.
Both brothers were constant attendants at meeting on Sun-
day, and at noon, in some secluded place, they met and had an
hour's interesting conference. If anything happened so that
my father did not attend meeting I had to take his place at the
noon conference. But it was no irksome task, for he was a
man of mind, solid good sense, a great reader and interesting
in conversation. Although pleasant "in manner," he was
always sedate. I never heard him laugh or crack a joke or
make a pun.
Strangely enough (although not a solitary case), as he
became rich he felt poo?-^ and as he became richer and richer
he felt poorer and poorer, until he really imagined he should
come to want. He was on the alert, looked after his affairs
with much zeal, urged economy at his table and in all things,
indoors and out. My father tried every way to convince him
that he was really far above want, that it was not possible he
should end life in a poor-house, that he had an abundance of
property, and no probability of any loss, but rt//, allm vain.
No one could convince him of the true state of his affairs,
though he "rose from the dead."
lo6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
This, finally increased as time wore on, so much so he could
not sleep nights in any good, quiet, healthy sleep, and some
nights none at all. At last, he became an excited monomaniac,
and on the first day of December, 1810, after a sleepless night,
he rose at daybreak, went to his corn-barn and with the reins
of a harness strangled himself I Thus lived and thus died
Ephraim Parker, — an honest man, good citizen, kind husband
and true friend, and in the full vigor of health, wealth and at
the early age of 53.
My uncle, Hollis Parker, came from Shrewsbury to attend
the funeral. I went with them, the Rev. Mr. Sabin officiated,
and it was an impressive scene, better imagined than described.
At the grave-yard, after the body was place in the grave, Mr.
Sabin came forth and made a short address — more fervent and
pathetic than I ever heard him before or since. He began
"In the midst of life we are in death," and closed with "Let
this event be another instance of the frail nature of man."
He had but one child, a daughter, named Abigail, after her
mother.
96. Abigail Parker, b. March 5, 1796; m. March 31, 1S12,
Joshua Worcester of Jaffrey, N. H.
The widow of Ephraim Parker m. for a second husband,
March 24, 1814, Jonas Fay of Mason, N. H. She d. Feb. 13,
1840, aged 82.
31. Hon. Nahum Parker (Amos,^ Andrew,'^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas"^), son of Amos and Anna Curwen
(Stone) Parker. This sketch is a son's memory of his honored
father. It was written in April, 1889, ^J Hon. Amos A.
Parker in the 98th year of his age.
Nahum Parker, the sixth son of Amos Parker of Shrews-
bury, was b. at Shrewsbury, March 4, 1760. He was a
Revolutionary soldier and went to the war at the early age of
16 years ; was in the Continental army ; was at the surrender
of Burgoyne at Saratoga in 1777.
After the war he m. and settled in Gerry, now Phillipston,
August II, 1783. He moved to Shrewsbury in 1784, and to
Fitzwilliam, N. H,, in March, 1786. The History of Fitz-
■williani truthfully says :
PARKER GENEALOGY. IO7
Hon. Nahum Parker.
"The fidelity and ability of Mr. Parker were at once recognized
by the people of Fitzwilliam, and he was soon called to fill offices of
trust. The proprietors of the township elected him their clerk and
treasurer, and he held these offices till the closing up of the business
of the proprietors in 1815. Though not admitted as a lawyer, he
was well acquainted with the forms and merits of civil proceedings,
and brought to all his public duties a well trained mind, a habit of
exactness in all legal proceedings, and accounting for all the funds in
his possession. To all these qualifications for public service he
added an almost faultless penmanship, so, from the date of his elec-
tion as clerk of the proprietors, their record books became easv of
comprehension.
"In 1790 Mr. Parker was chosen one of the selectmen of Fitz-
william, and held the office for four successive years. Beginning
with 1792 he was chosen moderator of town meetings, and served
Nahum Parker at the age of 15 years, with five of his brothers, was a soldier
in the Continental army and was present and took part in the battles that
resulted in the capture of Burgoyne's forces near Saratoga, N. Y., in 1777.
After the surrender he was discharged and came home on foot, walking with
his luggage from Saratoga, N. Y., to Shrewsbury. At Fitzwilliam the family
still has in its possession, and will with pleasure show to those interested in
such things, a relic which Nahum Parker brought oft" from the field of battle
after the surrender of Burgoyne's army. It is a bottle of dark glass with a
very short neck, holding about a quart. This was doubtless lost in the fight
by some British soldier or Hessian trooper.
Io8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
in that capacity more than twenty years. In 1792 he was chosen to
represent the town in the Legislature and served in that capacity
annually until 1804 — a period of ten years. In 1S06 he was again
chosen Representative and served the town in that capacity for
twelve years. He was also Councillor, member of the State Senate,
of which he was chosen President, and for some twenty years was a
Judge of the Court of Common Pleas. In 1S06 he was chosen by
the Legislatui"e a Senator in the United States Senate. He died
November 12th, 1S39, aged So years. His disease was paralysis of
the brain.
•' He was a Revolutionary pensioner, and during the Revolution-
aiy war he kept a diary and sent that to the Secretary of War with
his oath, declaring he was the identical person who kept it, and
asked what further testimony was needed to obtain a pension. The
answer was ' none^' and immediately he received his pension certifi-
cate. John C. Calhoun was then Secretary of War."
Nahum Parker never had the benefit of a public school.
He attended a private school a few weeks, and his mother did
all she could to instruct him, but she was not an educated
woman and had but little time to devote to any one of so large
a family of children. But with little ivsirjicttoii he at last
became well educated. He had learned to read well before
he went to the Revolutionary war, and there began the prac-
tice of writing by keeping a journal of events, and in after-
life, when selectman of Fitzwilliam, he kept a journal of all
his transactions. At length, he became a very perfect pen-
man. On a page it looked elegant and faultless. He was a
deep thinker and a great reader. After settling in Fitzwilliam
he took the Columbian InJ^ornier, printed at Keene, and when
that was merged in the JVew Hampshire Sentinel took that
to the day of his death. He also took a newspaper printed at
Worcester, as that would give him news of his friends settled
in and around his native town of Shrewsbury. Books of in-
struction he bought as fast as he was able, but no novels. He
also accumulated quite a law library. In short, he became a
well posted citizen and a good lawyer, so that in all the vari-
ous ofiices he held he was well able to discharge all their
duties with ability and credit.
He was given much employment as a draftsman by his fel-
low-townsmen in drawing up deeds, agreements and all con-
PARKER GENEALOGY. IO9
tracts, however difficult to make. When he was chosen select-
man in 1790, the town's affairs were in a confused state and it
took him four years to bring order out of chaos.
In 1795 he was chosen moderator of the annual town meet-
ing, and he was such an efficient officer that he preformed
that duty for more than twenty years, as has been stated.
Although courteous, he had a sedate, positive manner and a
strong, commanding voice, and when he called for order,
order came. Few men could accurately dispatch business
like him. Solemn, sedate and silent was his walk, yet he
appeared to be in deep thought. He was seldom known to
crack a joke or laugh at one, and yet his deportment was
always such as to indicate a kind heart and true benevolence.
His charities were many, yet private, for his motto was " Not
to let his right hand know what his left hand was doing."
One fine trait in Nahum Parker's life was, he was not an
office seeker. His motto was that "Offices were for the
public and not for the individual." In proof of this two letters
are now extant, one from Gov. Langdon and the other from
Gov. Plummer, both urging him to accept the office of Judge,
when they severally sent him his commissions. What a con-
trast now I Men are now running mad for office and will
compass heaven and earth to obtain it, and those the least fit
for office are ahead in the race.
He was also a man of strict morals and pure in speech.
No one ever heard him use profane, vulgar or obscene lan-
guage. He was a keen observer of passing events and a deep
thinker. On the road, nothing worth seeing escaped his
notice, and when he had passed over a long distance he
could give another man correct directions over the entire route.
At work in the field, he did not permit storv-telling or talk,
except in regard to the work in hand. At home, he was
never talkative, but generally absorbed in deep thought or
reading a book and oblivious to all surrounding movements.
And yet, at times he would hold forth on some important sub-
ject and sift it to the bottom. It was marvellous to hear him
take hold of a subject with such an irresistible grasp, and so
fully and clearly explain it. Sometimes, he would enter into
particulars and give his children solid advice, teach them how
no PARKER GENEALOGY.
to behave, how to act and how to learn. He would observe
that a person might learn something all the days of his life
did he note passing events. The besetting sin of the people
was lack of attention. Few people were good listeners,
interested in the subject before them, and could give no par-
ticular account of what they had heard. Few people could
tell much about a sermon, or discourse immediately after de-
livery, and because they had not paid attention when it was
delivered. In fine, he was a safe example to follow, in word,
thought and deed. Sometimes hard to follow, but I am glad
I did.
When in the full vigor of life his business was great and
extensive, for he not only superintended the cultivation of a
large farm, keeping one of the best stocks of cattle, but in
settling estates, acting as referee and in making deeds, con-
tracts, etc., far and near. No townsman was equal to him in
la3'ing handsome stone wall, and this he continued to do until
all the cultivated part of his farm was walled in.
In wakeful hours, he spent no idle time. He was never
known to go to a party, take tea or dine in his own neighbor-
hood or in the village. But he had his strong friendships and
pleasant companions, among whom was Dr. Phillip Monroe
of Surry, N. H., some 20 miles away. The Doctor was a
man of mind, well educated, social, pleasant and good compa-
ny. When they met, they became so much interested that
they took no note of time, and midnight came before they
were aware, and still they must have a few last words.
Among the stated visitors was Judge Abel Parker of Jaffrey,
N. H., eight miles distant. They were distant relatives. It
was settled that each with his wife should visit the other, alter-
nately, twice a year. The men had been acquainted with each
other many years before their wives met, and when they did
meet, a practical joke was played upon them. But this was
planed and engineered by Judge Abel, Judge Nahum simply
looked on and enjoyed it. It was in this wise, Judge Abel in
coming over on their first visit to Fitzwilliam told his wife that
the lady she was about to visit was very dea/ and she must
halloo quite loud to make her hear. So when they arrived
and passed into the house Judge Abel said in a loud voice,
PARKER GENEALOGY. Ill
"Mrs. Parker, shall I make you acquainted with my wife?"
His voice was so loud she thought his own wife was deaf.
The reply was in a loud voice, "Pretty well, I thank you."
The first speaker said, "You need not talk so loud for I am
not deaf \i you are." "But I ain't deaf.'''' "Then neither of
us are.'" They stared at each other a moment, and then
looked around and saw their two husbands in a broad grin ;
the joke was manifest, and all four had a jolly time over it.
The acquaintance of the wives, so facetiously begun, ripened
into a strong friendship and ended only with life.
In regard to the religious belief of Judge Parker little need
be said, for one thing is clear, he honestly practised religion,
whatever might have been his belief: and it is well said that
an honest man is the noblest work of God. No doubt he had
clear and well defined views of the Christian religion and was
not "tossed about by every wind of doctrine." He and his
wife were members of the Congregational Church in Shrews-
bury. They transferred their connection with that Church to
the Church in Fitzvvilliam when they came here in 1786.
The Covenant of the Church was adopted in 1771. To this
they agreed and became regular members in full communion.
The First Brigham Covenant answered the purpose for which
it was made for more than half a century, until 1825, when
new light was said to be discovered. The creeds of the
several Congregational Churches in the County of Cheshire
were not all alike, and some of them not up to the strict
standard of Calvinism. Accordingly, the Monadnock Associa-
tion of Ministers, in solemn conclave at Keene, adopted a new
creed for all the Churches in the county, with instructions to
discard the old and adopt the new.
The New Lights had a large majority and were determined
to exercise that power, but lacked a plausible pretence. After
quite a number of Church meetings and various forms had
been considered, at last one short undefined resolution was
adopted. In substance this: Resolved, That A. B., etc., be
and hereby are excommunicated from this Church /i?/- error
in doctrine. Judge Parker and wife, with nine others, were
included in the resolution. He was present at the time, and
in a quiet, dignified, firm voice said, "I thank God that the
112 PARKER GENEALOGY.
new Church of Fitzwilliam don't hold the keys of Heaven or
hell," and departed to return no more. From this time the
town was divided and the contest sharp and severe. Judge
Parker spoke of it with unending regret and it no doubt
shortened his days.
As it has been said, the Judge was not a talkative man.
Some one of his neighbors would occasionally call upon him
to have a social chat. He would receive them pleasantly and
then quietly sit and hear all the gossip of the neighborhood in
silence. The neighbor would do all the talking and he all
the hearing. When asked why he did not say something
himself, he would answer that his neighbor would not have
comprehended anything more than mere gossip, and as he
liked to talk and he had rather listen, both were gratified.
The wife, Mary Deeth, was a dau. of John and Jerusha
Deeth of Hopkinton. She is remembered as an efficient
woman and a good housewife. She d. June 4, 1837, aged 77.
Their children were :
97. Hannah Parker, b. in Shrewsbury, Dec. 26, 1784; ra. Luna
Foster of FitzwilHam, N. H.
98. AusTix Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H.. Jan. 24, 1787 ; m.
Susan Martin of Gardner.
Maria Parker, b. in Fitzwilham, July 26, 1789; m. Dr. Samuel
Lane, Jr., at her father's house in Fitzwilliam, June i, 1814, and
settled in Swanzey, N. H. Their infant child was b. March 25
and d. March 27, 1815 ; after great distress she herself d. April i,
1S15, aged 2^ years. He survived her but a few months. He
was a skilful physician and had a large practice.
99. Amos Andrew Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, Oct. 8, 1791 ; m.
(i) Miranda W. Sanders of Medfield, (2) Mary McClary of
Epsom, N. H., (3) Julia E. Smith of Glastonbury, Ct.
100. Ephraim Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, Aug. 18, 1793 ; m.
Lucv Stone of Fitzwilliam.
101. Nahum Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, March 16, 1797; m.
Bean of Nottingham, N. H.
Selina Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, July 5, 1799; m. John Damon
of Fitzwilliam.
102. Elmon Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, Jan. 20, 1S02 ; m.
Abigail M. Gray of Belfast, Me.
Sidney Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, July 3, 1804; d. April 26, 1815,
aged ten years.
PARKER GENEALOGY. II3
32. Rev. Frederick Parker (Amos,^ Andrczv,^ Jokn.i
Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), the youngest son of Amos and Anna
(Stone) Parker of Shrewsbury, was b. in Shrewsbury, May
4, 1762 ; graduated at Harvard University in 1784, and
licensed to preach in June, 1787 ; m. Nov. 25, 1793, Susanna
Foster, dau. of Dea. Asa Foster and Hannah Simonds of
Canterbury, N. H. She was a niece of the Hon. Abiel
Foster, a member of Congress when the United States Gov-
ernment was at Philadelphia.
He was ordained in the pastoral office of the Congregational
Church in Canterbury by a unanimous vote of the Church
and town, Jan. 5, 1791, and suddenly died there April 21,
1802, in the fortieth year of his age.
In 1795 he came to visit my father at Fitzwilliam. I was
but a small boy then, but I remember his personal appearance
very well. He came on horseback and was dressed in the usual
style of the ministers of that day, cocked up hat, small-clothes,
knee buckles and fair top boots. He talked pleasantly to us
boys, preached on Sunday for Rev. Priest Brigham, and left
after a few days' visit. That was the only time I ever saw
him, but he corresponded with my father till the day of his
death in 1802. Many letters of his to my father, as well as a
diary, are in my possession at the present time.
I find by his diary that he began preaching in June, 1787,
and for four years he preached at various places before he
was ordained at Canterbury in 1791- He made a list of the
various places he preached, and the number of times in each
place, which is now before me. It appears that he preached
at the following places, to wit : Falmouth, Casco Bay, now
Portland, Black Point, Kennebunk, Biddeford, Me. ; Charles-
ton, Hampton Falls, Plaistow, N. H. ; Westminster, Prince-
town, Grafton, Andover, Haverhill, Amesbury, Newbury,
Methuen, Hopkinton, Shrewsbury, Hardwick, Braintree,
Greenage Lock, East Hampton, Chesterfield and Middlefield.
On hearing that a vacancy had occurred in Canterbury, N.
H., by the resignation of the Rev. Abial Foster, he went there
to preach as a candidate. In due time, he had a call to settle,
cordial and unanimous. He was thereupon ordained January
5, 1 791, and as he died April 21, 1802, he was the pastor for
114 PARKER GENEALOGY.
a few months more than ii years. He was then not quite 40
years old, but in the full vigor of life and usefulness. But at
midnight, in his bed, without warning, he suddenly started for
eternity, and left many relatives and friends in tears I
As a preacher, he was fervent and interesting. No one
could sleep within the sound of his voice when he was in the
pulpit. It is said that his sermons were unequal ; sometimes
dry and uninteresting ; yet at times he would truly "be in the
spirit of the Lord's day,"' his face would glow with emotion,
and he would burst forth with such a flow of eloquence that
would seemingly wake the dead and leave the audience
drenched in tears.
I had in my possession perhaps 500 sermons of his writing,
and spent much time in trying to read any one of them in
vain. He wrote in cipher, hieroglyphics, marks, lines and
dots. No one could read them but himself, and, therefore, I
have put them all into the fire. But after preaching awhile he
did not write his sermons as a rule, but only on some particu-
lar occasion. Some of his most powerful sermons were
delivered without notes.
After he graduated he spent some of his time in teaching
school and in that was very successful. In one of his letters
to my father he says :
"I am tolerably happy, have got the best school-house I ever saw.
I have kept in it 5 weeks, supported good government and order,
have not corrected one scholar — and have the satisfaction to see the
scholars make daily progress in learning — and to have the approba-
tion of the inhabitants beyond my expectations. The methods of
discipline are various — some of them perhaps droll, but all tended to
the reformation of the boys. I have never but once appeared to
have been angry in school ; and tliis is one valuable method, among
many others, to make a school love and obey. I have 60 to 70
scholars, some girls."
A model teacher and a model neighborhood, surely.
He seems to have been very much attached, to his kindred,
father, mother, brothers and sisters. Although it is apparent
from his writings that he had a preference, it seems he sadly
lamented the death of his father in 1790. He attended upon
him in his last sickness, and noted what was done and said.
PARKER GENEALOGY. II5
I give an extract from his diary under date of December 20,
1790, in the evening :
" Father, we think you are dying.
" What makes you think so?
" Because you grow weaker and don't speak so plainly as you did.
" Are you willing to die?
" In some measure.
" Do you hope to be happy hereafter?
" He squeezed my hand.
" Do you know me?
" Yes, T know you all.
" You have prayed for us and we thank you, and we all pray fur
you.
"I have prayed for you with all my ability and used my best
endeavors."
Dec. 21. He said "Anna." His oldest daughter.
23. At ten oclock in the evening he died — breathing his last, and
a mortal paleness came over his face. Aged 67 yrs. 4 m. 16 days.
Dec. 24. Friday — Uncle Thomas expected here.
25. Isaac here — Saturday.
26. Sunday, at night came Amos, HoUis, Ephraim, Nahum.
27. Isaac and Elisha ; and uncles Andrew and Thomas.
" Attended funeral in sleighs reaching this side causeway to Mr.
Goddard's — and committed the remains of our de})arted friend to the
cold prison of the grave." More than a mile.
Mrs. Susan (Foster) Parker survived her husband 44 years.
About the first half of it was at the homestead at Canterbury,
but owing to the early death of her youngest and very promis-
ing son, Cyrus Parker, she removed to Lowell, and the other
half was spent in keeping a boarding-house for the factory
girls in that city. She, with her only dau. Harriet, managed
it with great success. Everything was done in such a neat
and tidy manner, and the girls were treated more like rela-
tives and friends than boarders, that their house was eagerly
sought for and always full. The daughter was well educated,
of fine personal appearance, of great intelligence and ladylike
in all her movements. She had great conversational powers,
and no one could chat with her, even for a short time, without
feeling interested, highly entertained, and pronounce her at
once very good company. Although she lived almost half a
Il6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
century, and would have made a first-rate housekeeper and a
model wife, she never married, and for two reasons, first, she
did not like to part with her widowed mother, and second, the
fear of not finding a suitable companion. Any one who
visited them would at once see that an unusual afl:ection
existed between mother and daughter, and that they were
intimate companions as well as relatives.
Aunt Susan Parker came to visit my father at Fitzwilliam
on horseback in 1807. They were intellectual, enjoyed books
and had many. Many an interesting chat we had, and in
time I was able in some good measure to appreciate their real
worth.
After the death of Harriet at Lowell, the mother went back
to Canterbury and lived with her father's family until her
death, Feb. 24, 1846, aged 70 years.
The children were all b. in Canterbury, N. H. :
Harriet Parker, b. Aug. 21, 1794; d. at Lowell, 1842, aged 48.
HoLLis Parker, b. Aug. 15, 1796, and while a boy went to live
with his aunt Elizabeth at Worcester, who was the wife of Amos
Whitney. He stayed there until he was 21, when he in April,
1818, bought a farm of 45 acres in the south part of Holden. His
cousin, Amos A., who knew him well, says: "He was a very
promising young man, of perfect habits and much intellectual
power." He kept a diary from which is copied the following :
It describes his attempt to find a school to teach in his journey
west in 1817. It well illustrates the effect of modern inventions
regarding travel. He required two days and two nights for his
trip to Albany, and the use of many horses. Now, by the tourist's
power alone, this journey is easily made in less time with the
" noiseless steed."
'' March 27, 1817, started from Worcester in the stage for Albany
about 3 o'clock P. M. ; Ariv'd in Leicester at | past 5 and at
Spencer at ^ past 6 & at Brookfield at ^ past 8.
"March 28, started from Brookfield and Ariv'd at Northampton
not till 4 o'clock P. M. ; started from N. H. about ^ past 11 in the
stage. After we left Northampton about 10 miles we were forced
to take sleigliing in consideration of their being so much snow on
the mountain that it was impassable in any other way. We
arrived at Pittsfield on the 29th at 4 o'clock ; started again at 6,
changed sleigh for carriage at Lebanon, in which we arrived at
Albany about 2 o'clock, stopping on the E. side of the River.
PARKER GENEALOGY. II7
" * * * I have had the chance of 6 schools but no more than
ten dollars per month. Not until this afternoon did I ever realize
the blessings of a good home. On this first of April how diflerent
do things appear to what they usually have. I almost envy the
birds their happiness, for they are pouring forth their notes of
gratitude while I can scarce keep from despair. — The weather is
most delightful but I would rather be following the plow than in
such business that I am now. Knowing that I can do better than
ten dollars per month at home, I presume that unless 'Bhos' has
had better luck than myself, one week more will find us both in
Worcester.
" B is to start tomorrow on foot and myself on Monday next to
start in the stage until I overtake him, then he will take the stage
and I shall walk the remainder of the way back to Albany, and
then I think we shall not turn back until we get as far as Worcester."
Honest boy ! We can easily sympathize with him in this his
first experience with the outside world.
In Holden he was a farmer eight years. For several years before
his death he was partially blind, so he could not see near objects
but could discern time three miles distant on the town clock.
He d. at Holden, Jan. 2, 1827, aged 31 years, and unmarried.
Susanna Foster Parker, b. Jan. 23, 1799; d. Dec. 6, 1799.
perishing by her clothes taking fire. She lived but a few hours
after the accident in great distress. A very promising child and
the idol of her parents. Her death in that awful manner so sadly
aflflicted them that they gave way to their grief and refused to be
comforted.
Cyrus Parker, b. Dec. 4, 1800; graduated at Dartmouth College
in 1824; then went to Georgia as a teacher in a planter's family,
and d. there Sept. 23, 1835, aged nearly 25 years.
None of these children married and this branch of the
Parker family became extinct.
33. Dea. Ebenezer Parker (Thomas,^ Andrew,'^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Thomas and Jane
(Parrott) Parker, b. in Lexincrton, Aug. 13, 1750, and bap.
Aug. 19, 1750. He m. in Lexington, Dec. 3, 1772, Dorcas,
b. in Lexington, Nov. 14, 1750, dau. of William and Tabitha
(Hobbs-Jones) Monroe. Her mother's original name was
Hobbs, dau. of Josiah Hobbs who settled in Weston. She m.
(i) Jones, and (2) William Monroe, as above stated.
Dorcas was the tenth of a family of 11 children. Mr. Monroe
Il8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
was a blacksmith, and son of Lieut. John Monroe of Lexing-
ton, who with others had 900 acres of land granted to them in
1735 for services in the Indian fight at Lamprey River, June
6, 1690, besides tilling nearly every public office of the town.
The Monroe family of Lexington, with whom the Parkers
intermarried more frequently than with any other, have always
been one of the foremost families of the town. They were
always remarkable for bravery, coolness, strength of body and
of mind, and were always active and prominent in military
affairs. Their genealogy is easily traced to 1300, in connec-
tion with the history of Scotland.
Ebenezer Parker was an active member of Capt. John
Parker's company of minute-men, having the duty of corporal.
At the time of the fight he showed much coolness in remain-
ing upon the field while the company were dispersing, in an
attempt to dissuade his uncle Jonas Parker from his vow, that
under no circumstances would he run from the British. The
enemy were approaching and surrounding them, and as he
was unable to change his uncle's determination he had to
leave him to the enemy and flee for his own life. This must
have been very disheartening for young Ebenezer, who would
have been glad to have carried his uncle bodily from the field.
In addition to participating in the affairs of the morning he
joined in the march to Concord, the return and the lively work
which ensued during the enemy's retreat. He was with his
company when they marched to Cambridge, May 6, 1775,
remaining there some time to prevent any further excursions
of the British into the country. Again, at the time of the
battle of Bunker Hill a detachment of 60 was made up, and
with Capt. John Parker he proceeded to Cambridge, where
they were ordered to guard the "Neck," at Charlestown,
much against their wishes, as they preferred to be in the
thickest of the fight.
He removed from Lexington with his father to Princeton in
1777. He and his wife were dismissed from the Church in Lex-
ington to the Church in Princeton, Nov. 9, 1788. His father
in the year 1795 transferred his estate to Ebenezer, as follows :
" I Thomas Parker of Princeton in Co. of W. and Com. of Mass.
Gentleman, for and in consideration of the love and affection which
PARKER GENEALOGY.
119
Dea. Ebenezer Parker.
I20 PARKER GENEALOGY.
I bear to Ebenezer Parker, being my only son do give by these
presents unto him the s*^ Ebenezer Parker a certain tract or Messuage
of hind lying and being in Princeton afores*^ containing about 300
acres."
He mentioned also the "Pond and Saw Mill Darn," also
"the Grist Mill and Saw Mill and all the privileges of the
stream." Two hundred acres had already been set off from
the large "Black Grove Farm" : 100 to Philemon Parker, his
cousin, and 100 to Mrs. Jonas Smith, Thomas Parker's only-
daughter, and her family. But in 1794 Ebenezer bought out
Mr. Smith, arid soon increased his estate to 600 acres, besides
owning farms in Stamford, Vt., Rindge and Fitzwilliam, N.
H., and in Barre, Mass.
He was actively associated with Church and town affairs.
He was a deacon of the Church, and was familiarly known as
Deacon Parker. When he came to Princeton he with Jonas
Smith were signers of the Princeton Declaration of Indepen-
dence, probably drawn up about 1775. He was made assessor
of the town in 1782, in which capacity he served almost contin-
uously for 20 years. Beginning with 1786 he was selectman
almost constantly until 1805. He was a true, generous friend
and a very valuable citizen. All matters, whether political,
theological or intellectual, pertaining to the benefit of his towns-
men, received his active and influential support. During
1796, '97 and 1800, he was elected representative from the
district of Princeton, Rutland and Oakham. He was adminis-
trator of estates and guardian. His tavern business was con-
siderable, as he kept as many as ten ridable horses, which at
that time the business demanded. He was an energetic and
successful farmer, keeping his stock at 30 cattle and 40 sheep.
He was gifted with a strong physique, was stout in stature,
although less so, it is said, than his father Thomas Parker.
He was a man of mind ; was noted for his firm decision, and
his strong, though pleasant, expression of countenance.
He believed in discipline and practised it with good govern-
ment in his family. His words bespoke a sturdy, thoughtful
character, and when he had anything to say everybody listened.
Thus highly respected, his last years were, however, passed
in feeble health. On this account he was unable to respond
PARKER GENEALOGY. 121
to the invitation of his native town on her sixtieth anniversary
of the battle of Lexington. This was celebrated April 20,
1835, with eleven surviving actors present. At the commence-
ment of the exercises it was announced with regret that Dea.
Parker was absent, and the cause was duly stated that it was
"on account of the infirmities of age." For a few years previ-
ous to the Deacon's decease his delight was to read the Bible
constantly. He was able also to pick out any passage in it.
Mrs. Dorcas Parker d. "suddenly" (as is stated in the
town records), Nov. 28, 1798. She was a most worthy lady
and her loss was very widely lamented. He m. (2) Mrs. Mary
(Binney) Rice, widow of Solomon Rice, who d. in Princeton,
Sept. 25, 1794. He thus became stepfather of two children,
Betsey and John P. Rice. The latter became a well known
merchant in Boston. The wife, Mary, d. March 22, 1816.
He d. Oct. 19, 1839, ^^^s living to the ripe, old age of 89.
They were both interred, as was Mrs. Dorcas Parker, in the
family row at the homestead burying-gound. The first three
children were b. and bap. in Lexington. All were by first
wife, Dorcas, save the last born, A. Dwight Parker.
Their children were :
Abijah Parker, b. in Lexincyton, May 28, 1773 ; d. Aug. 21, 1775.
103. QuiNCY Parker,* b. in Lexington, April 28, 1775; m.
Patience Brooks of Princeton.
104. l^ETSEY Parker, b. in Princeton, June 8, 1777 ; m. Benjamin
Gould of Princeton.
105. PoLLv Parker, b. in Princeton, May 4, 1779; m. (i) Riifus
Dodds of Princeton, (2) Dr. Isaac Warren of Princeton.
106. Lucv Parker, b. in Princeton, March 11, 1781 ; m. (i)
Jonas Beaman of Princeton, (2) Edward Hanford of Camden, Me.
107. Ebenezer Parker, Jr., b. in Princeton, June 4, 1784; m.
Hannah B. Merriam, then of Princeton.
108. BiTHA Parker, b. in Princeton, July 26, 17S6; m. Charles
Folger of Camden, Me.
AuRELius Dwight Parker, b. in Princeton, April 23, 1803. He
was admitted to the bar in Boston, where he figured prominently
♦Ebenezer Parker and John Quincy Adams were boys together in Lexing-
ton, and were, it is said, intimately associated. At the birth of Mr. Parker's
second child both he and Mr. Adams felt honored that .'^uiucy should be his
name.
122 PARKER GENEALOGY.
as a lawyer for many years. He showed remarkable perception
on points of law, his contemporaries learning to regard his opin-
ion as one of the very best. He was perhaps more of a con-
sultation lawyer than a declaimer. It was considered that he was
one of the most learned lawyers in Boston. Ofttimes long prac-
tised members of the bar referred difficult technical points of law
to Mr. Parker for his decision. He died unmarried.
34. Mary Parker (Tho7nas,^ Andrew,"^ 'John^^ Hana-
niah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Thomas and Jane (Parrott) Parker,
b. in Lexington, Dec. 25, 1758; bap. in Lexington, July 13,
1760; m. in Waltham, Oct. 5, 1775, Jonas Smith, b. in
Waltham, Dec. 21, 1748, son of Jonas and Thankful (Fiske)
Smith. This date of birth is as the family have it, the Wal-
tham record says Nov. 21, 1747. He had brothers Elijah and
Zachariah, whose families resided in Waltham, but their
descendants are now scattered. Some are living in Lexing-
ton. Jonas Smith, the father, was b. June 7, 1719, the son of
Zachariah, who was son of Jonathan. Jonathan was son of
Thomas, who was born in England and came to this country
1635, with his father John. In this way we see that the
ancestors of the Smith-Parker family branch which follows,
and of the Smith-Parker lamily found on pages 68-73, were
in a good measure the same.
At about 1777 Jonas and Mary Parker Smith removed to
Princeton, took up 100 acres of her father's large estate of 600
acres, and they became his nearest neighbors. They lived
upon that spot where Mrs. Stacia Harrington now resides.
Their farm was transferred to Dea. Ebenezer Parker in 1794.
He was known as Lieutenant Smith. He d. May 9, 1814,
"aged 66" thus he was born in the latter part of 1747. She
d. Dec. 27, 1817, aged 59.
Their children were :
1. Sally Smith, b. Dec. 13, 1775 ; d. July 25, 1815.
2. Abijah Parker Smith, b. March 6, 1777; d. Sept. 29, 1778.
3. Abijah Parker Smith, b. Jan. 22 (or 12 as Princeton
Records have it), 1779; m. 1802, Submit Howe, b. in
Wilton, N. H., dau. of Israel and Submit (Keyes) Howe,
later of Princeton. Mr, Smith was a shoemaker in Prince-
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 23
ton, where all his family were born. He afterwards removed
to Waltham. Their children were :
I. Abijah Smith, m. and lived in Waltham.
II. Jonas Smith, lived in Rutland, d. by drowning, and
left no issue.
III. Charles Smith, drowned in Rutland. Children :
1. Henry Smith.
2. Dana Smith.
3. Lucy Smith.
4. Thomas Smith.
5. Israel Smith.
IV. Elinor Smith, m. Batcheldcr, and lived in
Waltham.
V. George Smith, a farmer of Warwick.
VI. Phebe Smith, m. Garfield.
vii. Sarah Smith, m. French, a lawyer of Waltham.
VIII. William Smith.
William Smith, b. May 37 (Princeton Records read 23),
1781 ; m. Sept. 13, 1804, Lois Mirick, b. in Princeton, Oct.
24, 1785, dau. of John and Lois (Hobbs) Mirick of Princeton.
He lived in Boston ; kept a shoe store ; d. in Sterling, July
18, 1855. Their children were:
1. Harriett Smith, b. Jan. 30, 1S05 ; m. at Boston,
Oct. 37, 1833, John G., b. in Sterling, March 32,
1804, son of Timothy and Sally (Smith) Hosmer.
He was a chairmaker, and lived in Waltham. She
still (1893) resides in Waltham in the 88th year of
her age.
II. Lois Smith, b. Nov. 30, 1806; m. Wellington.
She lived in Waltham and d. there several years since.
She had four children.
III. Moses Mirick Smith, b. May 27, 1809 ; d. in Bing-
hamton, N. Y. He left three sons.
IV. William Smith, b. Feb. 24, 181 1. Baptist minister
in Chelsea. He d. soon after his ordination.
V. Thomas Parker Smith, b. Oct. 13, 181 2. Dry goods
merchant in Boston. Removed to West Medford,
where he d., and left an issue.
VI. Sally Smith, b. June 22, 1815 ; m. Horace A. Breed
of Boston. They settled in West Medford, where
they have both deceased. They left three children.
vn. SopiiRONA Mirick Smith, b. May 39, 1817; d. in
Sterling, unm.
124 PARKER GENEALOGY.
5. Jonas Smith, b. Aug. 3, 1783 ; d. Sept. 27, 1783.
6. Jonas Smith, b. Nov. 32, 1784; d. May 22, 17S6.
7. Cyrus Smith, b. Aug. 3 (Princeton Records read 5), 1787;
m. June 17, 1812, Prudence Wilder of Sterling, b. in Prince-
ton ; built the Estabrook House, kept the Wachusett House
and was afterwards a farmer. He d. Oct. 3, 1861. She d.
Dec. 12, 1871, aged 78. All their children were b. in
Princeton :
I. Foster Smith, b. Jan. 12, 1815 ; d. unm.
II. Adalaide Bowman Smith, b. March 9, 1817; m.
James F. Barnes, a native of London ; removed to
Wheeling, W. Va., where she d. about 1847. Their
children were :
1. Adalaide Barnes, resides in Wheeling, W. Va.
2. Thjrza Barnes, m. Herman Schockey, and resides in Wheel-
ing, W. Va.
III. Mary Ann Smith, b. Nov. 9, 1S18; m. Oct. 15,
1840, Eli, son of Seth and Polly (Hastings) Banister
of Boylston, was a farmer and miller. He d. 1S74.
She resides at the homestead in Boylston. Their
children were :
1. Linden Banister, b. Nov. 21, 1841 ; m. Elizabeth Maynard of
Northborough. No issue.
2. Seth Banister, b. Oct. 23, 1845; m. Harriett Flagg of Boyl-
ston. He is a farmer in Boylston and has three sons.
IV. Catharine Smith, b. May i, 182 1 ; d. in Princeton,
aged about 45, unm.
V. Leonard Smith, b. June 23, 1822 ; m. Betsey, dau.
of Nathan Farnsworth of Templeton. They lived in
Templeton. Both are now deceased. He d. 1865.
Their children were :
1. Leonard Farnsworth, removed to New Hampshire.
2. Lucy Farnsworth, d. Feb., 1866.
3. Adalaide Farnsworth, school-teacher in Boston.
4. Henry Marshall Farnsworth, resides at Templeton.
VI. Jane Parker Smith, b. Sept. 6, 1824; m. James S.
Pinkham of Worcester, as his second wife. He was
well known as an extensive carpet merchant. vShe
resides in Worcester. No issue.
VII. Fi.aville Wilder Smith, b. June 23, 1826; m.
Martha Pierce of Princeton. He d. without issue.
She resides in Princeton,
viii. Lydia Babcock Smith, b. March 9, 1832. Resides
with her niece in Wheeling, W. Va., unm.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 25
8. Jonas Smith, b. Aug. 5, 1790; m. (i) Oct. 24, 1S14, Salome,
b. in Princeton, April 8, 1796, dau. of Dr. Ephraim and
Clarissa (Gale) Wilson of Princeton. They lived in Barre.
He m. (2) Widow Mead, sister of his first wife, and had by
both wives 12 children. The eldest child was Bradford
Smith, who lived in Louisville, Ky.
9. Amos Smith, b. Dec. 29, 1791 ; m. Aug. 23, 1818, Betsey
Gregory. He lived in Penfield, N. Y. ; d. March 8, 1S65.
Their children were :
I. Amos Smith, served in the Civil War, and is deceased.
II. Eliza Smith, d. in girlhood.
III. Dana Smith, lived in Webster, N. Y.
IV. Charles Smith, d. in Chicago.
V. Jones Smith, lived in Toronto, Ont.
10. Polly Smith, b. Jan. 2, 1794 > '"n. Benjamin Buss of Sterling.
They settled in Rutland, removed to Eastford, Conn., where
she d. May, 1850. Their children were:
I. Adaline Buss.
II. Frederick Buss, lives in Stockport, N. Y.
11. Ebenezer Smith, b. Dec. 3, 1798; d. June 11, 1878; in. at
Princeton, Dec. 15, 1822, Anna Wilder, sister of Prudence
Wilder of Sterling, b. May 27, 1790, dau. of Elihu and
Prudence Wilder of that town. She d. April 15, 1870.
They resided on his parents' place in the easterly part of the
town, where he was a farmer. He represented the town in
the Legislature for one year, was selectman two years and
overseer of the poor at different times. Their child was :
I. Addison Smith, b. in Princeton, May 28, 1827 ; m.
(i) in Worcester, Oct. 28, 1856, Jeannette Brimner,
of Yarmouth, N. S., b. in July, 1832; she d. Aug.
14, 1865 ; he m. (2) in Ghent, N. Y., Sept. 3, 1867,
Martha, dau. of Jacob and Elizabeth New. He lived
upon the old Smith place in Princeton for many years,
where, in his early life, he and the Parker youths were
boys together, and with whom he warmly associated.
Later in life he i^emoved to Southborough, where he
now resides, a highly respected citizen. Children :
1. Anna Smith, b. in Princeton, July 25, 1872. She is a teacher
in Haverhill.
2. Irving Smith, b. in Southborough, March 27, 187S.
3. Jeannette Smith, b. in Southborough, Jan. 24, 18S1.
126 PARKER GENEALOGY.
35. Rhoda Parker (Andrczv,i> A)idrew,^ yohn,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas'), dau. of Dea. Andrew and Abigail (Jennison)
Parker, b. in Lexington, June 19, 1760; m. 1785, Capt.
Joseph Smith, a veteran soldier of the Revolution and a promi-
nent citizen of Barre at the time. He was son of Joseph
Smith of Sudbury, now Wayland, 16 miles west of Boston,
and was one of a family of 13. Samuel, the oldest of this
large family, was also a Revolutionary soldier, and owned a
farm in Barre, where he d. in 1815.
Rhoda Parker, his worthy wife, survived him. She d. in
Barre, May i, 1814, aged 54. Her grandson wrote: "They
were buried two miles north of Barre village, where they lie
side by side." He was a man of much force of character and
kind and indulgent to his family.
After the Revolution Lt- Smith held various town offices
and was treasurer in 1792. He was an innholder. His first
location was easterly of where E. W. Hemenway now lives
and on the opposite side of the highway. In 1801 he erected
a tavern of which he had charge about 12 years. This house
is now used for a dwelling-house and is opposite the school-
house in old district No. 9.
As Capt. Smith was a prominent citizen of Barre, and his descendants are
so numerous, the following brief biography is fitting for our genealogy.
Jonas Smith, who m. Rhoda Parker, was b. Nov. 12, 1739. He enlisted in
the Revolutionary army in Colonel Prescott's regiment, some time previous
to the Battle of Bunker Hill. Prescott was one of the commanding officers in
that battle, but the company to which Mr. Smith belonged was that day
stationed northwest of the hill, toward Cambridgeport, to prevent those on
the hill from being flanked. He afterwards went with the army to Long
Island and White Plains, and was one of the 1,200 who stormed Fort Stony
Point. He was with the army when it passed that winter of hardships at
Valley Forge, where he had the small-pox and suffered terrible privations for
his country. He afterwards went south with Washington and was in most of
the principal battles, and at Yorktown when Cornwallis surrendered. He
was Captain of a light infantry company in Col. Rufus Putnam's regiment,
and was one of the officers called together by Washington when he delivered
his farewell address. His company disbanded in 1783 and he returned to his
home in Barre. He was 43 years of age at this time. Two years later he
married Rhoda Parker at the age of 25. He owned a farm of 173 acres, being
what is known as the " Rocking Stone Farm." A mention of the famous
stone, from which the place takes its name, is made in the Geological History
of Mass. He was also a Quartermaster in the Revolution, and served as
Adjutant under Gen. Lincoln in the Shays' Rebellion. He was one of the
school committee of Barre.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 27
Their children were :
RuFUs Smith, son of Capt. Joseph and Rhoda (Parker) Smith,
b. in Barre, Nov. S, 17S7; m. (i) Nov. 31, iSii, Miriam
Carruth of Barre, b. Sept. 6, 1788. He acquired a good edu-
cation and was a school-teacher. They lived in Barre where
George P. King now lives until about 1830, when he with his
family removed to Cortland Co., N. Y. His wife d. Feb. 8,
1831, and he m. (2) in Cortland, N. Y., 1831, Orpha Sweet
of McGrawville, N. Y., dau. of Stephen Sweet, b. Dec. 25,
1808. They lived first at McGrawville, N. Y., then Blodgett
Mills. Mrs. Orpha (Sweet) Parker d. June 11, 1840, and
he m. (3) Sept. 15, 1842, Mrs. Hannah (Lason) Gosper, b.
Dec. 5, 1S08, dau. of James and Hannah (Pembroke) Lason,
then of Dryden, Tompkins Co., N. Y. He d. in Freetown,
N. Y., June 17, 1877, aged nearly 89. She resides at Free-
town Corners, N. Y. In Barre Rufus Smith taught school at
the same district 18 terms in succession. He was a public
spirited man, highly respected, and an active help in the
Wesleyan Methodist Church in later years. He was a mason
by trade. He was president of the Washington ian Society of
Cortland, N. Y., in its day. In politics he was a wliig and
abolitionist. He was a delegate to ihe presidential campaign
of Polk and Dallas. He was influential toward temperance
and anti-slavery ; scarcely ever missed a town meeting or
election, and went on foot four miles to the polls when over
85 years of age.
One of the many letters from him to cousin Josiah Smith of
Barre is herewith preserved, showing the interest which he
took in the political aflairs of his time :
" Dear Cousin — These lines leave us enjoying as comforta-
ble a share of health as can be expected in the down hill of
life — I perceive by your letter that quite a number that I was
well acquainted with have been called from time into eternity.
A few more rolling suns and the same sad story will be told
of us, the places that now know us will know us no more for-
ever. * * * Tell your wife I have not forgotten her and my best
wishes for her. I very often think of my scholars and think
how much satisfaction I took while teaching the 'young idea
how to shoot,' and where scholars took as much pains to learn
and to obey the orders in school. You wrote of my keeping mv
politics that my father taught me while I was in my youth ; tliat
principle that he taught me was to do all the good I could for my
128 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Country. That I have endeavored to keep in view. My motto
is freedom to all people if they behave themselves well. Last
fall the Republican party started and I liked their platform, and
we had quite a large number in this county before the stated
convention met at Syracuse. I was elected a delegate on the
republican side. The Whigs met the next day in convention.
We did nothing the first day but organize and be prepared for
the W^higs for we expected a union of the two parties. Perrin
H. McGraw, my sister Sally's son, was a delegate of the
whig party. The whig party met and organized ; sent a com-
mittee over to us to inform us they were ready to proceed —
we sent a committee to them in like manner. Before uniting
each delegation chose a committee of i6 on resolutions and a
committee of 32 to report names of candidates for state officers.
They then met, resolutions were read, and all of the whig
party but two agreed ; those two were silver greys. But it paid
all costs to be there and hear the speeches that were delivered.
One of the speakers was there from Kansas Territory. There
were a great many that were formerly democrats that united
with us and were put on the nominations, but we did not suc-
ceed on the election. The know-nothings carried the state by
nearly 10,000. I hope the old Bay State will fall into the
republican ranks and carry that state at the next presidential
election, for we do not want to see Kansas kicked and cufted
any more. My respects to all my friends.
"Yours, etc.
" RuFus Smith.
"Blodgett Mills, Post Oflice, April 14, 1S56."
His children were :
I. Joseph Aaron Smith, son of Rufus and Orpha (Sweet)
Smith, b. in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y., Oct. i,
1833; m. in Sheridan, Chautauqua Co., N. Y., June
4, 1857, Hannah E. Nortrup, son of Absalom and
Betey Nortrup, b. in Cortland, N. Y., June 3, 1833.
He enlisted in 1863 for three years in the 145th Reg.
of Penn. Vols. He was in every battle except Gettys-
burg up to Gen. Lee's surrender in 1865. He was
struck in the back by an exploding shell at Fredricks-
burg, and wounded at Ream's Station. He enlisted as
a private, and although acting as sergeant many times
he would never take promotion. He often said that
PARKER GENEALOGY.
129
he went out a private in the rear I'anks and was going
back the same. Mr. Smith is a daii"yman of Chautau-
qua Co., N. Y. Their children were:
1. Orpha E. Smith, b. in Sheridan, N. Y., March 23, 1859; ^^
Julj 4, 1877, in Chautauqua, N. Y., Lyman Prindle. Their
children were :
1. Willie M. Prindle, b. Oct. 24, 1879.
II. Myron J. Prindle, b. Aug. 2, 1881.
III. Blanch H. Prindle, b. June 14, 1883.
IV. Jesse R. Prindle, b. Feb. 20, 1887.
V. Anna C. Prindle, b. July 17, 1889.
All in the town of Greenfield, Erie Co., Pa.
2. Rufus P. Smith, b. Feb. 10, 1S67, in Harbour Creek, Erie
Co., Pa.
II. Mary Amelia Smith, dau. of Rufus and Orpha (Sweet)
Smith, b. in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y., July 20,
1835 ; m. at Freetown, N. Y., Solomon F., son of
Wesley and Sarah (Lake) Robertson of Freetown.
He was b. in Freetown 1827. They reside at Free-
town Corners, where he is a cooper and mail carrier.
The children were all born in Freetown, N. Y. :
1. Rufus Randolph Robertson, b. 1854.
2. Charles Edward Robertson, b. 1856; m. in 18S8.
3. AUiston Robertson, b. 185S; m. in 1882.
4. Ella E. Robertson, b. i860.
5. Chauncy Herbert Robertson, b. 1865.
III. Rufus Putnam Smith, son of Rufus and Orpha
(Sweet) Smith, b. in Lenox, Madison Co., N. Y.,
Aug. 20, 1837. He enlisted in the 76th N. Y. Vol.
Inf. in 1861. He was the Colonel's orderly, and d. of
a fever while in the service of his country, in camp at
Washington, D. C, in the spring of 1862.
IV. Aaron Smith, son of Rufus and Orpha (Sweet) Smith,
b. at Homer, N. Y., May 2, 1S40; d. Aug. 5, 1840.
V. Sarah M. Smith, dau. of Rufus and Hannah (Lason)
(Gosper) Smith, b. at McGrawville, N. Y., Sept. 19,
1843 ; m. at Freetown, N. Y., Nov. 28, 1868, James
D., son of Thomas and Betsey (Wright) Fish of Cin-
cinnatus, N. Y. He is a farmer in Cortland, N. Y.
They had a son and dau., twins, b. June i, 1872, and
d. in infancy.
VI. Ann Maria vSMiTii,dau. of Rufus and Hannali (Lason)
(Gosper) Smith, b. at McGrawville, N. V., Jan. 9,
1846; d. Dec, 1S53.
130 PARKER GENEALOGY.
2. Abigail Smith, dau. of Capt. Joseph and Rhoda (Parker)
Smith, b. in Barre, Aug. 16, 1789; m. in Barre, Jan. 5, 1812,
Joseph Peckham of Petersham, b. June 18, 1788, son of John
Peckham. He was a carpenter, wagon maker and blacksmith.
They lived for a few years in Petersham, then removed to
Homer, N. Y., and finally to Cortlandville, N. Y. Naturally
quiet and retired in her disposition, she was a true Christian
mother, and held a strong influence for the good over her large
family of children. She d. May 14, 1871. He d. Aug. 22,
1S75. Their daughter, Mrs. Louisa R. Seeber, writes:
"Were my parents still living their living descendants would
be seven children, 29 grandchildren, 63 great-grandchildren,
and one great-great-grandchild, making just 100 in all."*
Their children w^re :
I. Almon Peckham, b. in Petersham, Nov. i, 1812; m.
at Allen, N. Y., Hannah Anstras, b. May 27, 1817,
d. Feb. 23, 1875, dau. of Isaac and Hannah Peavy.
He was a farmer in Allen and Friendship, N. Y.,
and is still living (1892). Their children were:
1. Ira D. Peckham, b. in Allen, N. Y., Feb. 27, 1841 ; resides at
Richfield Springs, N. Y.
2. William Lester Peckham, b. in Allen, N. Y., Jan. 19, 1844;
resides at Friendship, N. Y.
II. Edwin Peckham, b. in Petersham, Sept. 28, 1S14; m.
at Belfast, N. Y., June 21, 183S, Sarah, dau. of
Susan and William Sellon. He was a farmer, and
lived first in Belfast, then in New Hudson, later in
Eagle, and last in Pike, N. Y. The children were b.
in Belfast, N. Y. :
1. Emeroy Peckham, b. April 5, 1S39; resides at Pike, N. Y.
2. Alson N. Peckham, b. July 3, 1S43; resides at Pike, N. Y.
3. Frank Peckham, b. April 3, 1846; resides at Freetown, N. Y.
III. Abigail Peckham, b. in Petersham, May 18, 1816; m.
in Allen, N. Y., Sept.. 1S40, George B. Hicks, b.
Dec. 17, 1814, son of Phillipp and Mary (Thurbee)
Hicks. They were farmers in New Hudson, N. Y.,
for more than 40 years, and now reside in the town of
Eagle, Wyoming Co., N. Y. Their children were:
1. Willard Hicks, b. Dec. 21, 1842.
2. Louisa Hicks, b. Jan. 28, 1845; m. Roberts.
3. Mariette Hicks, b. Feb. 22, 1847.
4. Ellen Hicks, b. Oct. 22, 1S49.
♦Written at Texas Valley, N. Y., March 28, 1890.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I3I
5. Alonzo Hicks, b. March 13, 1851.
6. Leonora Hicks, b. April 4, 1S53.
7. Julia Hicks, b. June 10, 1859.
IV. Sally Smith Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y.,
March 26, i8i8 ; d. at age of 4 yrs. 8 mos. 4 days,
Nov. 30, 1822.
V. Harriett Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y., Feb.
3, 1820; m. John Bennett, b. 1818, son of Nicholas
and Martha Bennett. He d. April 3, 1871. Their
children were :
I. Lydia Ann Bennett, b. June 6, 1848; m. Milo Tucker, and
reside in Almond, N. Y.
3. Louise Bennett, b. Sept. 19, 1849; '"• Daniel Coote, and
reside in Angelica, N. Y.
3. Adelbert Bennett, b. April i, 1851.
4. Franklin Bennett, b. March ^6, 1853; d. Nov. 9, 1854.
VI. Lauriston Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y., Feb.
5, 1823.
VII. Rhoda Louisa Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y.,
March 18, 1825 ; m, Nov. 2, 1851, Jacob, b. at Free-
town, N. Y., son of Safrenas and Elizabeth (Shannon)
Seeber. He d. April 6, 1889 ; was a farmer. She
resides at Texas Valley, N, Y. All the children were
b. in Freetown, N. Y. :
1. Eluette Seeber, b. Jan. 30, 1853; m. Nov. 17, 1875, George
Brooks. They have one son, Charles D. Brooks.
2. Lucelia Seeber, b. Sept. 26, 1855.
3. Dewitt C. Seeber, b. Sept. 10, 1857.
4. Elbert M. Seeber, b. April 24, 1862.
5. Sibbie A. Seeber, b. July 13, 1866.
6. George Merton Seeber, b. Dec. 5, 1869. The above children
are all deceased, except the youngest.
VIII. Mariette Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y., June
19, 1827; m. May 24, 1846, at Allen, Allegany Co.,
N. Y., Julius Spencer Graves, b. Nov. 21, 1822, at
Blodgett's Mills, son of Asher and Achsah (Webster)
Graves. He was a farmer of Freetown and Texas,
Cortland Co., until 1866, when he removed to Clarence,
Erie Co., N. Y., where he still resides. The following
children were all b. in Freetown, N. Y. :
1. Ju.«;tus PL Graves, b. June lo, 1847; resides at
Chicago, 111. rj,
" ' }• Twins.
2. Justin R. Graves, b. June 10, 1847; resides at
Evanston, 111.
3. Abbie Evelyn Graves, b. Feb. i, 1850; d. April 29, 1887.
132 PARKER GENEALOGY.
4. Marj Elizabeth Graves, b. Aug. 25, 1855: resides at Evans-
ton, 111.
5. Stella Maria Graves, b. May 15, 1857 ; resides at East Clarence,
N. Y.
6. Ernest Webster Graves, b. Oct. 2, 1861 ; resides at East
Clarence, N. Y.
7. Melvin Wilbur Graves, b. Dec 31, 1863; d. Aug. 18, 1865.
IX. Cephas B. Peckham, b. in Cortlandvillc, N. Y,, July
7, 1829; m. in West Winfield, Herkimer Co., N. Y.,
Sarah E. Bentley, b. in West Winfield, Dec. 4, 183 1.
He is a farmer of Angelica, N. Y. Their son was:
I. Frank L. Peckham, b. in Caneadea, N. Y., Sept. 19, i860.
Resides at Angelica, N. Y.
X. Amelia L. Peckham, b. in Cortlandville, N. Y., Feb.
15, 1833; m. in Allen, N. Y., Jan., 1854, Spencer
Randall Franklin, son of John and Betsey (Miller)
Franklin. He was a farmer and for a time constable
in Allen, N. Y. Their children were :
1. Inez Gertrude Franklin, b. in Allen, N. Y., June, 1S56.
2. Carrie Estell Franklin, b. in Faribault, Minn., July, 185S.
3. Jennie Abbie Franklin, b. in Faribault, Minn., Sept., 1862.
3. Aaron Smith, son of Capt. Joseph and Rhoda (Parker) Smith,
b. in Barre, Nov. 4, 1791 ; m. Dec. 6, 1814, Sarah Allen
Mason; b. Feb. 11, 1794, the dau. of Thaddeus, Esq., and
Hannah (Allen) Mason of Barre. She was granddau. of
Dea. John Mason, who with Dea. Andrew Parker were
young men together in Lexington, and who in Barre were
always hand-in-hand in all important aflairs. Dea. Mason
was the first representative to the General Court from Barre.
A nephew of Sarah Allen Mason is still living — Thaddeus
Mason Loring, Esq., of Cortland, N. Y. Their ancestors
were doubtless the originators of most of the name in Mass.
They removed from Barre to Homer, N. Y., in 181 6. He
was Captain of a militia company there. They removed to
Allen, N. Y., in 1838. He there held the office of ruling
elder and deacon of the Church for 35 years, until his death,
which occurred Feb. i, 1S62. "He no doubt (writes his
son) inherited some of his Grandfather Parker's old time faith.
An instance of his belief in direct answer to prayer is related
by one of his old friends : ' One extremely dry season fires
were raging all around us, and after he and others had done
without avail all that human hands could do to stay their
progress he dropped on his knees and j^i'^yed there in the
midst of the fires for rain. And,' added the neighbor, ' it
PARKER GENKALOGY. I 33
came almost immediately.'" He was a good influence in his
town, and belonged to one of the first temperance societies
organized in the country. Botli he and his wife were partially
paralyzed shortly before tlieir deaths. She d. July 29, 1873.
Their children were :
I. Caroline Smith, b. in Barre, Oct. 6, 1815 ; m. March
18, 1835, Abel Webster of Fabius, N. Y., b. Sept. 17,
1809. They lived in Fabius and Allen, N. Y. She
d. Dec. 12, 1S72; he d. April 13, 1877. Children:
1. William S. Webster, b. in Fabius, N. Y., May 17, 1836.
2. Melvin A. Webster, b. in Allen, N. Y., July 16, 1843; m.
Jan. 5, 1876, Maggie Reusch, b. in Wurtemberg, German}',
Aug. 4, 1849, '^^^- °f Frederick and Margaret Reusch.
He is a farmer in Angelica, N. Y.
3. Sarah E. Webster, b. in Fabius, N. Y., May 21, 1848; m.
Jan. 25, 1874, Frank Walker, b. in Allen, N. Y., April 16,
1852, son of Lysander and Martha Walker. They have
three children.
4. Byron A. Webster, b. in Allen, N. Y.,July 26, i86o; d. at
Chicago, 111., Sept. 21, 1888.
II. Andrew Parker Smith, b. in Homer, N. Y., Jan. 29,
1818; m. in Angelica, N. Y., Dec. 18, 1844, Sarah
Ann Chafiee. He settled in Allen, N. Y., where he
was both a farmer and a mason, which trade he had
already mastered. He became the supervisor of the
town of Allen, N. Y., which position he held for two
years. In 1866 he bought a farm in Gratiot Co.,
Mich., and moved there with his family. As a most
fitting tribute to his marked integrity of character, it
need but be said that during the two years which he
passed at his new home he held for one term the
highest office in the township, was also superintendent
of the Sunday-school and filled satisfactorily some
minor offices. He d. of quick consumption, Dec. 30,
1868. Their children were :
I. Anna Maria Smith, b. Sept. 28, 1845; m. in Hubbardston,
Mich., March 9, 1870, Charles R. Proctor, b. in Mesopo-
tamia, O., Oct. 28, 1843, son of Peter and Harriett Proctor.
She has in preservation a book bearing the title "Andrew
Parker, 1776." This was one of the several diaries and
account books which Dea. Andrew Parker kept during his
busy life. Her father often spoke of it with worthy pride,
saying, "That belonged to my great-grandfather, and from
him 1 was named." She also has an old wooiien canteen
snd a powder-horn, which were carried by either Dea.
Parker or Capt. Smith. She resides in Hubbardston, Mich.
134 PARKER GENEALOGY.
2. Martha V. Smith, b. April i6, 1848; d. Aug. 15, 1876.
3. Mason A. Smith, b. Jan. 30, 1850.
4. Mary E. Smith, b. Sept. 3, 1851 ; d. March 19, 1869.
5. Milton A. Smith, b. Oct. 18, 1853 ; d. March 18, 1869.
HI. William Mason Smith, b. in Homer, N. Y., April 14,
1821. He went with his parents to Allen, N. Y., in
1838, he himself walking the entire distance to drive the
stock they took with them, and there helped to make a
pleasant home of the new farm, which he and his father
and brother owned together. The grounds around the
house he planted full of forest trees, mainly evergreens,
and in other ways made the place one delightful to
remember. He m. in China (now Arcade), N. Y.,
May 8, 1S55, Orilla Welles. They removed to Clin-
ton Co., Mich., in 1865, where he d. on his farm near
Hubbardston, June 7, 1872. He was very retiring in
disposition and never sought or held many public
offices. To his careful pains we are indebted greatly
for the fulness and accuracy of the records and history
of his own family and near relatives. He properly
appreciated his ancestors, and in his family papers is
written : " Grandfather Smith and wife. Great grand-
father Allen and wife, also Great Grandfather Parker
and wife were buried two miles north of Barre
Village." Their children were :
1. Emma Caroline Smith, b. in Allen, N. Y., April 8, 1856; m.
Oct. 15, 1S78, Myron C. Goolthrite, b. in New York, Nov.
18, 1854.
2. Anna Louisa Smith, b. in Allen, N. Y., June 23, 1859; ^i.
July, 1888, George R. Knowles, b. in N. Y. State, Jan. 3,
1862.
3. Sarah May Smith, b. in Allen, N. Y., May 3, 1861.
4. William Welles Smith, b. in Lebanon, Mich., Jan. 19, 1868.
5. Orilla Laverne Smith, b. in Lebanon, Mich., Jan. 15, 1870.
IV. Ann Eliza Smith, b. in Cortland, N. Y., Dec. 9, 1872 ;
m. in Allen, N. Y., April 13, 1845, O. H. Walker,
b. April II, 182 1, son of Erastus and Betsey B.
(Porter) Walker. She d. Sept. 3, 1S71, and left no
issue. He I'esides at Angelica, N. Y.
4. Sally Smith, dau. of Capt. Joseph and Rhoda (Parker) Smith,
b. in Barre; removed to Homer, N. Y., 1816; m. in Cort-
landville, N. Y., Jan. 13, 1820, Harry McGraw, son of
Samuel and Elizabeth (Whitman) McGraw. vShe was a
devout Christian woman and a kind mother. Mr. McGraw
PARKER GENEALOGY. 1 35
was a merchant of McGravvville. He was honored with several
town offices, such as supervisor and assessor. He was also
member of the Assembly, and the first postmaster of McGraw-
ville, which office he held until his death, May 16, 1849. She
d. May i, 1874. All the children were b. in McGrawville :
I. LucRETiA McGraw, b. Jan. 11, 1821 ; m. Rev. E. B.
Fancher. They reside in McGravvville, N. Y., and
of their children these are living :
1. Ezra B. Fancher.
2. Edward P. Fancher.
3. Sarah L. Fancher Kinney.
4. Mary C. Fancher Jones.
5. Henry R. Fancher.
6. James R. Fancher.
II. Perrix H. McGraw, b. Dec. 26, 1S23 ; m. at New
Berlin, N. Y., April 26, 1848, Leonisia, b. June 9,
1824, in Solon, N. Y., dau. of Garrett and Philena
Pritchard. He has been actively connected with his
town and is a highly respected citizen of McGrawville,
N. Y. He has been a merchant, produce dealer and
manufacturer of corsets. Their children were :
1. Mary Louisa McGraw, b. Feb. 3, 1853; d. Dec. 16, 1S65.
2. Albert Perrin McGraw, b. June 12, 1S56; m. Jan. 18, 1882,
Emiline N. Childs. They have one son :
I. Charles Albert McGraw, b. Dec. 28, i886.
HI. Pamelia McGraw, b. Feb. 3, 1825 ; m. in McGraw-
ville, N. Y., 1855, Henry M. Kingman, son of Oliver
and Betsey Kingman. He is a merchant of McGraw-
ville. They have one adopted dau., Carrie E. King-
man.
IV. Marinda McGraw, b. July 14, 1827 ; m. Sept. 5, i860,
in McGrawville, N. Y., Henry C, b. in Guilford,
N. Y., Sept. 11, 1827, son of Leontes and Zilpha
(Farnham) Hendrick. He is a physician. He was
a surgeon in the Rebellion, 1861-65. He is president
of th& Board of U. S. Examining Surgeons, Cortlanil,
N. Y. They reside in McGrawville, N. Y. They
have one son :
I. Henry Delos Hendrick, b. Oct. 11, 1861.
V. Delos McGraw, b. Oct. 21, 1829. He is a merchant
and produce tlealer and resides in McGravvville, N. Y.
VI. Loui.sA Maria McGraw, b. Oct. 21, 1832; d. Feb. i,
1833-
136 PARKER GENEAI.OGY.
36. Abigail Parker ( Andrew, '^ Andrew,'^ yokn,^ Hana
niah,^ Thomas'' ), dan. of Dea. Andrew and Abigail (Jennison)
Parker, b. in Lexington, Jan. 29, 1762, came with her parents
to Barre, 1763 : m. Feb. 21, 1788, Nathan, b. in Barre, Nov.
I, 1763, son and eldest child of Jonathan and Hannah (Smith)
Allen of Barre. They were among the very earliest settlers
of "Rutland District,"' preceding Andrew Parker. He and
brother Nehemiah Allen came from Lexington, and they may
have caused Mr. Parker to locate with them. Jonathan Allen's
wife was a native of Sudbury, where he m. her, took her to
Lexington, and then proceeded to Barre with 40 apple trees and
his young wife on the back of his horse I They made their
way through the "District" by means of marked trees, and
it is traditioned that until settlers became numerous they heard
the howling of the wolves at night close to their very doors.
Wrote Edwin Woods : "Jonathan Allen's memory shall live
as long as there is an apple tree left in Barre." Mrs. Elizabeth
Carter, Jonathan Allen's granddaughter, shortly before her
death, remarked that she had often ate of the apples from
these original trees. He lived at the north of the centre, on
the same place with the same wife 60 years. He died aged
92, wife at 87, and had six children, whose average age at
death was just 80 years. His brother Nehemiah Allen had ten
children, four sons and six daughters, who reached at death
the ages of respectivel3^ 96, 96, 95^, 92J, 92, 84, 82, 80, 80,
78, making an average of 87 !
Nathan and Abigail lived two miles northwest of the centre
on the same place and in the same house lately occupied by
their dau., Mrs. Carter. Moses and Josiah Allen lived in
Barre and were brothers of Nathan Allen. Moses's son was
the lafe distinguished Dr. Nathan Allen of Lowell. Nathan
Allen, who m. Abigal Parker, was a farmer and was one of
the most prominent men of Barre for a great many years.
He was honored with all the offices in the gift of the town.
He d. Aug. 16, 1831, aged 68 : she d. Oct. 14, 1838, aged 77.
Their children were :
1. A child, unnamed, b. and d. April 11, 1789.
2. MARy Allen, b. in Barre, Feb. 17, 1790. She was unable to
talk plain. She lived in Barre with her sister until her death.
She d. unm. Jan. 26, 1865, aged 75 years.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 1 37
Abigail Allen, b. in Barre, Feb. 4, 1793; m. Jan. 3, 1833,
Alexander D., b. Sept. 23, 17S5, son of Charles and Mary
(Slocum) Dickinson, of Rhode Island. He was early in life
a sea captain and later a farmer. Their children were :
L Nathan Sumner Dickinson, b. in Barre, Aug. 31,
1836 ; m. Judith Holmes Prouty of Spencer. She
was dau. of Pliny Prouty and Malissa Holmes. He
enlisted in Co. C, 25th Mass. Reg., aged 27; was
wounded in the battle of Cold Harbor, Va., June 3,
1864, and d. in the Harwood Hospital, Washington,
D. C, Aug. 7, 1864. Buried in North Brookfield.
Their children were :
1. George Sumner Dickinson, b. in Spencer; resides at North
Brookfield.
2. Charles Levi Dickinson, b. in Spencer; resides at North
Brookfield.
II. Mary Abigail Dickinson, b. in Barre, Nov. 20, 1834;
resides at Worcester.
Elizabeth Allen, b. in Barre, Aug. 31, 1795; m. April 23,
1834, at age of 34, Benjamin Goodnow Carter, b. in Peters-
ham, Sept. 12, 1806, son of John and Ruth Carter of Peters-
ham. He d. in Barre, Feb. 13, 1867, aged 60, and was
buried in Petersham. They had no issue. She d. Sept. 19,
1890, at the age of 95. Her life was a very exceptional one,
more than a repetition of that which our ancestors led two
centuries ago. The old Nathan Allen place, which her father
settled on in 1788, was located two miles northwest of Barre,
not far from the Dea. Parker place. The old road which
divided the farm was once populous with houses, but is now
remote and forsaken. It was here she preferred to live, and
did live, for 95 years, in the house built by her father, which
still stands unchanged in appearance. She also preserved the
old furniture as it was in her childhood.
She was never outside of her native town except on two
occasions, once she went to Princeton and once to Gill. She
travelled each time by private conveyance. Consequently it
may be said that Mrs. Carter never saw a railroad train or a
steamboat, and never even rode on a stage coach. When
once questioned if she would not like to have seen something
of the world, she replied, "No, some people like to ride on
railroads, but home, sweet home is the place for me. Here
my father and mother lived for 60 years of married life ; in
138 PARKER GENEALOGY.
this house I was born ; here I have lived for 95 years, and
here I am to-day. There are but few now living who can say
as much."
Her own home furnished a world of happiness to her and
she never longed for foreign things. Her life was a most
heroic example of contentment and Christian feeling. She
clung dearly to the memories of her childhood days ; spoke
often of her honored and long-lived parents, and of her grand-
father, Dea. Andrew Parker, "who made spinning wheels,
and who wouldn't pay the minister for that kind of preaching
in which he did not believe."
Until a few years before her decease she retained her full mental
ability, and some years since she materially assisted, by means
of her good memory, Edwin Woods in his popular Memorial
of Barre. For the cheerful lesson which she teaches, for her
generosity to all and devotion to home duty, she will long be
remembered in Barre. Doubtless her long life was much pro-
longed by the watchful attention of her guardian and neigh-
bor, Webster Washburn of Barre. The old home is a relic of
antiquity in every way. She had no issue.
5. Nathan Allen, b. in Barre, Jan. 10, 1797 ; d. April 29, 1797.
6. Sumner Allen, b. in Barre, Jan. 31, 1798 ; d. April 27, 1822,
aged 24, unm. He died of consumption caused by exposure
while working in his sap orchard. Unlike his sister Mary, he
lacked the free use of his limbs, but possessed good powers of
speech.
7. Louisa Allen, b. in Barre, Dec. 4, 1801 ; m. Zebediah Allen,
son of Samuel Allen. Samuel Allen was cousin to Nathan
Allen. They lived on the Nathan Allen place after marriage.
They had one son, but the parents both died and the child
soon followed, having lived to the age of but a few weeks.
37. Sally Parker (Andrew,'^ Andrew,'' John,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas'), dau. of Dea. Andrew and Abigail (Jennison)
Parker, b. in Barre, March 17, 1765 ; m. Jonathan Mayhew
of Phillipston. They lived in Phillipston and had a family of
children, but who have already become extinct. She m. (2)
Robbins, who is remembered by the old residents of
Phillipston as the one who played the big bass-viol in church.
She d. in Phillipston.
The children, among whom were Nabby and Lyman May-
hew, never married. They settled in Phillipston for life and
PARKER GENEALOGY. I39
lived together for many years. He was a most constant attend-
ant of the Church, a most strict adherer to his religion.
Nabby and Lyman Mayhew are both buried in Phillipston.
38. Bettey (or Betsey) Parker (Andrew,'^ Andrew,'^
yohn,i Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Dea. Andrew and
Abigail (Jennison) Parker, b. in Barre, Jan. 13, 1766; m.
Feb. 20, 1788, Paul Tobey, b. in Berkley, Sept. 6, 1761,
son of Rev. Samuel and Bathsheba (Crocker) Tobey, and
twin brother of Silas Tobey. He was one of a family of 12
children.* They removed to Chester, Vt. They lived first
in a cabin ; he cleared the land and built the house wherein
they later lived. Mrs. Betsey (Parker) Tobey is remembered
by her only surviving dau. as a smart, capable woman. She
d. Dec. 30, 1808, and he m. (2) Feb. 4, 1813, Phebe Briggs.
All the children, however, were by Betsey. He d. in Chester,
Vt., Aug. 4, 183 1. His death was very sudden. Standing
in his grain field with a handful of grain, he received a shock
and lived only a few hours.
* (The story of Parson Tobey's courtship has already been preserved in
print in a paper called The Christian.) After Samuel Tobey was ordained
pastor of the Church in Berkley, Mass., Nov. 23, 1737, being convinced of the
truth of the scriptural doctrine, that it is not good for man to be alone, he
very naturally looked about him to find a remedy for his isolation, and in this
search he of course had the help and best wishes of his fair parishioners in
general. Under the circumstances he became a frequent visitor at Mr.
Crocker's, whose house was graced dy the presence of fine blooming daughters.
Three of these daughters were usually in the room dressed in their best and
ready to receive the young parson when he came, and to make his visits as
agreeable to him as they were acceptable to them. The fourth daughter,
Bathsheba, he seldom saw. Whether cumbered with much serving or shy of
company, or what not, she managed to keep out of sight most of the time,
though he would occasionally get a glimpse of her dress as she disappeared
through the door on his arrival.
His curiosity was awakened by her shyness, and he thought, as he expressed
it, that he would " like to see more of this coy bird," he therefore sought an
interview with her, the result of which was that the three sisters who sat in
the parlor with him had the honor of having the parson for a brother-in-law;
while the parish register, still extant, bears the following record in parson
Tobey's own handwriting: "Sept. 6, 1739, I was married to Bathsheba
Crocker." They lived long together and she became the mother of 12 children,
among whom some rose to high honor; and her grandchildren, who are still
living, are among the merchant princes of Boston, of all of which we may say,
as the parson said of his marriage, "I do not know as this would have taken
place had she not been so shy."
140 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
1. Silas Tobey, b. June 10, 17S9; d. May 29, 1795.
2. Betsey Torey, b. Nov. 10, 1790; m. at age of 22, Otis Cook.
They had ten children, seven living to maturity. They resided
in Chester, Vt., and all the children were born there:
I. James Spencer Cook, b. Dec. 3, 1S15 ; m. May 12,
1844, Philena Martin of Springfield, Vt. They had
four children. He d. Aug. 31, 1887.
II. Harriett Cook, b. Feb. 24, 1818 ; m. Barnard Carlton
of Ludlow, Vt. No issue.
III. Salmon Cook, b. May 4, 1S20; m. Jan., 1847, Mary
Bemis. They have one child,
IV. Elizabeth Cook, b. Sept. 23, 1823; m. Feb., 1844,
Fernando Baldwin of Andover, Vt. One child.
V. Martha Cook, b. Oct. 4, 1825; m. July i, 1843,
Leonard Redfield of Springfield, Vt. They have had
seven children.
VI. Thomas Cook, b. June 25, 1827 ; d. about 1850, unm.
VII. Abigail Tobey Cook, b. April 22, 1829; d. Jan., 1837.
3. Abigail Tobey, b. Oct. 31, 1792; m. in Chester, Vt., Jan. 10,
181 1, Timothy, b. July 28, 1788, d. Dec. 15, 1865, son of
Benoni and Sarah (Williams) Lockwood. He was a farmer,
worked a shingle mill and resided at Springfield, Vt. She d.
Aug. 26, 1828. Their children were :
1. A SON, b. Nov. 24, i8ii ; d. Dec. 10, 181 1.
II. A SON, b. Dec. 26, 1812 ; d. Jan. 3, 1813.
III. Hiram L. Lockwood, b. March 3, 1814.
IV. Nelson H. Lockwood, b. Aug. 25, 1816; d. Jan. 23,
1819.
V. Alvin T. Lockw^ood, b. Oct. 23, 1818.
VI. Timothy P. Lockwood, b. Jan. 11, 1821.
VII. Achsah a. Lockwood, b. Aug. 30, 1823 ; m. at Spring-
field, Vt., Jan. I, 1843, Sylvester, b. in Chester, Vt.,
Sept. 5, 1815, son of William and Rachel (Redfield)
Ellison. He is a farmer at Springfield, Vt. They
have two children :
1. Achsah A. Ellison, b. Feb. 13, 1844.
2. Azro D. Ellison, b. Jan. 29, 1853.
VIII. Bathsheba B. Lockwood, b. Oct. 26, 1825.
IX. A son, b. Aug. 8, and d. Aug. 12, 1S27.
X. Silas Lockwood, b. July 28, 1828.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
141
4. Paul Tobey, b. Nov. 21, 1794; d. April 33, 1815.
5. Bathsheha Crocker Tobey, b. March 30, 1797; d. May 7,
1829, unm.
6. Samuel Tobey, b. May 6, 1800; d. May 13, 1S84, unm.
7. A daughter, b. March 2, and d. May 12, 1S02,
8. Andrew Parker Tobey, b. Feb. 4, 1804; m. Jan. 28, 1840,
Martha E. Boynton, b. in Weathcrsfield, Vt., July 17, 1820.
He d. Jan. 17, 1877. Their children were:
I. Mary E. Tobey, b. Jan. 2, 1842.
II. Myron S. Tobey, b. Nov. 20, 1843 ; d. July 5, 1886.
in. Emma E. Tobey, b. June 16, 1847; I'esides at Chester,
Vt.
IV. Paulina L. Tobey, b. July i, 1850; m. July 2, 1S73,
Hiland Chandler of Chester, Vt., and who d. Dec. 8,
1877. She resides at North Springfield, Vt.
9. .Sarah Tobey, b. Sept. 9, 1S08 ; m. Jan. 2, 1837, Lincoln, b.
in Springfield, Vt., Jan. 14, 1809, son of Peres Whitcomb of
Cohasset, and wife Priscilla Litchfield of Scituate. He was
a shoemaker and later a farmer. He resided in Springfield,
Vt., where he d. Sept. 12, 1881, aged 72^ years. His widow
(1890) still survives him in good health at 82 years of age. She
was the last born and is the only surviving child of Paul and
Betsey (Parker) Tobey. Their children were :
I. Ellen E. Whitcomb, b. in Qiiechee, Vt., Sept. 9, 1S39 ;
m. George R. Hall. She d. Oct. 10, 1865, aged 36,
without issue.
II. Julia M. Whitcomb, b. in Qiiechee, Vt., Sept. 30,
1842 ; m. Henry F, Howe. She d. Oct. 13, 1S62,
aged 20. Their children were :
1. Luman L. Howe.
2. Lula M. Howe.
HI. Georgianna Whitcomb, b. in Springfield, Vt., June
20, 1845; m. Jan. i, 1867, Charles E. Chandler.
Their children were :
Harry E. Chandler, b. July 12, 1869.
Edward A. Chandler, b. Sept. 6, 1872; d. Oct., 1872.
3. Nora G. Chandler, b. Dec. 12, 1875.
4. Hcllen W. Chandler, b. Aug. 26, 1S77.
Grace M. Chandler, b. June 25, 1880.
IV. Andrew L. Whitcomb, b. Jan. S, 1853 ; d. Jul) ^o,
1S63.
142 PARKER GENEALOGY.
39. Artemas Parker (Andrew,^ Andrew, "^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Dea. Andrew Parker and
Mary, his 2nd wife, b. in Barre, Aug. 5, 1786; m.
Spaulding. It is known that he lived in New Hampshire for
a time, and from there removed to Chelmsford, Mass. But it
is said he removed to Vermont, and that the descendants from
his large family are still living in that State. It is known that
the old Barre contingent were intimate with Parkers in Ver-
mont, their relatives. At one time, Aunt Carter, as she was
familiarly called, sent two family relics to her Parker relatives.
One was Dea. Parker's large Continental hat with red and
black plumes, and the other was an old cane. It is hoped
that further research may finally reveal the history of this
branch of the Parker family. It is known that one son was
named Rodolphus Parker.
40. Mary Parker (yosiah,^ yosiak,"^ yohn,^ Hananmh,^
ThoDuis^), dau. of Josiah and Mary (Monroe) Parker, b. in
Woburn, Dec. 25, 1749; ™- Sept. 29, 1774, John Gilmore.
She was the first Parker of Lexington descent born in Woburn.
They had two children born in Woburn, after which they
removed from town.
John Gilmore, b. Feb. 4, 1775.
Marv Gilmore, b. May 27, 1779.
41. Josiah Parker, Jr. (yosiah,^ yosiah,'^ yohn,^ Hana-
niak,^ Thomas^), b. in Woburn, Nov. 25, 1751 ; m. July 21,
1774, Hannah Gardner of Charlestown. He lived on or near
his father's large estate on the west side of the town. He was
very active in the stirring times of British oppression and did
his best to secure the independence of the united colonies,
as in many hard fought battles and several years of hard-
ships and sufferings he risked both life and health in the
cause. He belonged to the Woburn company of Minute-
Men who marched to Lexington and Concord on the morn-
ing of the first outbreak of the war, and who intercepted the
enemy at various points. He was with Capt. Wyman at the
battle of Bunker Hill. He was several years in the service,
was under Lt. Jos. Johnson at Cambridge in 1777, and with
PARKER GENEALOGY. I43
Capt. Wyman endured the hardships and privations of 1778.
He was a well beloved man and possessed a constitution of
strength and health. His characteristics are plainly preserved
by the epitaph upon his gravestone :
" In Memory of
Mr. JosiAH Parker,
who d. Jan. 20, 1830, a. 78.
" The man of charity extends
To all his helping hands
His Kindred, Neighbours, Foes and Friends,
His pity may command."
Mrs. Hannah (Gardner) Parker d. in Woburn at the age
of 84, Jan. 14, 1838. The mother, Hannah,* was dau. of
Henry, Jr., and Sarah (Noyes) Gardner of Charlestown,
where she was b. Feb. 3, 1754. Henry, Jr., was grandson
of Richard Gardner, the emigrant ancestor, who was in
Charlestown at 1662. Her epitaph is also worth inserting:
" Look here my friend as you pass by
As you are now so once was I,
As I am now so you must be
Prepare for death and follow me."
Their children were :
109. JosiAH Parker, b. Nov. 6, 1774; m. Abigail Carter of
Woburn.
110. Henry Parker, b. July 3, 1777 ; m. Abigail Hutchinson of
West Cambridge.
111. Hannah Parker, b. March 19, 1779; m. Abel Richardson
of Woburn.
112. Polly Parker, b. March 10, 1781 ; m, Caleb Richardson
of Woburn.
Betsey Parker, b. 1785 ; " d. of canker rash, Feb. 26, 1795, aged
10 y." Woburn's Record of Deaths.
Frederick Parker, b. 17S6; " d. of canker rash, Feb. 28, 1795,
aged 9 y." Woburn's Record of Deaths.
♦She was b. in Charlestown, Feb. 3, 1754, dau. of Henry and second wife
Lucy (Fowle) Gardner, being tenth in her father's family of twelve children.
Lucy Fowlc was dau. of Capt. John Fowie of Woburn, who was son of James.
Henry Gardner was son of Henry and Elizabeth (Lane) Gardner, he (Henry)
being son of Richard and Anna (Blanchard) Gardner of Woburn and Charles-
town.
144 PARKER GENEALOGY.
113. Electa Pakkek, b. May 4, 1794; m. Samuel C. Buckman
of Woburn.
114. Betsey Parker, b. March i, 1796; m. Jonathan Baldwin.
115. Frederick Parker, b. July 3, 1798; m. Ndbby Thompson
of Woburn.
42. Lydia Parker CJosiah^^ yosiah,^ yohn,iHana7iiah,^
Thomas'), b. in Woburn, Dec. 10, 1753 ; m. Aug. 24, 1772
(supposed), Jesse Wright, then of Woburn. They lived in
Woburn a few years, where two children are recorded. Jesse
Wright was with Capt. Wyman at the battle of Bunker Hill.
Lydia Wright, b. Jan. 6, 1774.
Jesse Wright, b. May 30, 1779.
43. Benj amin Parker ( Josiah ,s Josiah ,4 John ,3 Hana-
niah,- Tho7nas'), b. in Woburn, Jan. 30, 1756; m. May 12,
1779, Mehetable Tidd of Woburn, b. Dec. 13, 1759, ^^^- °^
Samuel and Phebe Tidd. He lived on the "West Side" in
Woburn, near his father's homestead. The following list
of children is transcribed from the original and excellently
penned sheets of family records, now in possession of Mrs.
Benjamin Wyer :
116. Benjamin Parker, Jr., b. Aug. 26, 17S0; m. Sally Allen.
117. Joseph Parker, b. June 8, 1782; m. Betsey Richardson of
Woburn.
118. Samuel Parker, b. Dec. 23, 1784; m. Lydia Thurston
Allen.
119. Mehetable Parker, b. Oct. 23, 17S6; m. Maj. Francis
Johnson of Woburn.
Patty Parker, b. June 11, 1789; d. Nov. 14, 181 1, aged 22.
120. Almira Parker, b Sept. 20, 1790; m. Nathan Johnson of
Woburn.
121. Anna Parker, b. Sept. 9, 1791 ; m. Joshua Swan Robbins
of West Cambridge.
Lucy Parker, b. Feb. 18, 1794; never married.
122. Lydia Parker, b, Aug. 15, 1796; m. Benjamin Wyer of
Woburn.
123. Charlotte Parker, b. May 3, 1801 ; m. (i) Royal Cald-
well ; (2) Nathaniel Buck.
124. Fanny Parker, b. July 22, 1803; m. George Butters.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I45
■44. Kdmund Parker (yosiah,^ yosiah,'^ yohn,^ Hana-
7itah,^ Thomas^), b. in Woburn, March 17, 1762 ; m. (i) April
5, 1790, Lydia Johnson of Woburn; she d. Feb. 3, 1801, and
he m. (2) July 7, 1805, Mrs. Elizabeth Reed of Woburn. She
d. in Feb., 1825, aged 62.
Like his Parker relatives he possessed a sound constitution
and strong physique, which carried him through many hard-
ships of service while fighting for his country. He served
early with Capt. Green's R. I. regiment, and also a term in
1780. He lived among his kindred on the "West Side,"
dying June 28, 1840, aged 78.
"Like a shock of grain ripe and seared,
Removed from friends long endeared."
Their children were :
Edmund Parker, Jr., m. March 21, 1816, Hannah Wyman of
Woburn. They lived upon the "West Side" in the neighborhood
of his relatives. They d. without issue.
Thaddeus Parker, m. Feb. 6, 1821, Lydia Thompson of Woburn.
He was b. on the "West Side" of Woburn ; was a very strong man,
possessing a remarkable constitution and great physical energy.
He d. without issue aged about 90 years.
[Woburn Records show that an infant child of Edmund Parker d.
Feb. 20, 1801.J
125. David Johnson Parker, m. Rebecca Carter of Wilmington.
Mary Parker, m. in Woburn, Dec. 23, 1819, Dana Fay; they
lived in Winchester and had no children.
45. Nathan Parker (yosiah,^ yosiah,^ yohn,^ Hana-
jiia/i,^ Thomas'), b. in Woburn, Feb. 21, 1769: m. Nov. 10,
1793, Polly Richardson, b. Oct. i, 1775, dau. of Reuben and
Jerusha Richardson of Woburn. He was a dutiful son and
became a highly respected citizen ; but in his prime of life he
was fatally injured by the fall of the Clapp house, which is best
described in the records of the town, which read:
" From this accident, thirty or forty individuals, the strong men
of our town, were wounded in an inconceivable number of ways."
ID
146 PARKER GENEALOGY.
This worthy inscription is upon his grave-stone :
In Memory of
Mr. Nathan Parker,
who d. July 19, 1807, ^t. 38.
" By a wound which he received by a fall of
a frame of an House, he has left a widow and
five children to lament the loss of one of the
best of Husbands and Fathers ; as a provider
he was very remarkable for his attention to
his Family, a very industrious & ingenious
Tradesman, a real good neighbour, social and
confident friend, very regular & Just in all his
dealings & to conclude all his moral Virtues
an Honest Man."
" O Death, thou Victor of the human frame
The soul's poor fabric trembles at thy name.
How long shall man be urged to dread thy sway
For those whom thou untimely take away?"
His widow m. Aug. 31, 1820, Seth Crosby of Billerica,
and removed there.
136. Polly Parker, b. March 23, 1794 ; m. Joshua Reed, Jr., of
Woburn.
Child, unnamed, d. 1796.
Caroline Parker, b. 1805 ; d. in Woburn, May 31, 1826, aged 21.
Clarissa Parker, d. unmarried.
137. Maria Parker, m. Simon Adams of Lowell.
128. Susanna Parker, m. Marshall Wyman of Woburn.
46. Anna Parker (yohn,^ 'Josiah^'' yohn,^ Hananiah^^
Thomas^), dau. of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore) Parker, b.
in Lexington, Jan. 11, 1859; "^- in Waltham, March 16, 1781,
Ephraim Pierce, Jr., of Waltham. They lived in Waltham.
There is in possession of her descendants a family tree
wrought on canvas by the youngest daughter of the family,
the crrowth of which is thereby represented. Within the two
hearts at the base are inscribed the names of the father and
mother, viz. :
" Epraim Pierce, b. Sept. 29, 1747 — Anna Pierce, b. Jan. 11, 1749.
Married March 18, 1780."
PARKER GENEALOGY.
147
From these united hearts springs the trunk of the tree, from
whose branches are suspended five large apples, each con-
taining a name and date, as follows :
" Lydia, born July 29, 1780.
Ephraim, born Oct. i, 1782.
Nancy, born Nov. 22, 1784.
John, born Aug. 13, 1787-
Sibbyl, born Jan. 11, 1790."
1. Lydia Pierce, b. July 29, 1780; d. unin.
2. Ephraim Pierce, b. Oct. i, 1782 ; was drowned when a boy.
3. Nancy Pierce, b. Nov. 22, 1784; m. Leonard Smith of
Waltham, son of David. He was innkeeper in Waltham.
Their children were :
I. Ann Augusta Smith, d. 1829.
II. Jane Isabella Smith, b. Nov. 16, iSio ; m. in Waltham,
Dec. 25, 1834, Frederick Lawrence, b. Sept. 16, 1809 ;
d. Feb. 13, 1876. He was a farmer in Waltham.
Their children were :
Ann Isabella Lawrence.
Leonard Frederick Lawrence.
Ellen Sophia Lawrence.
Henderson Greene Lawrence.
Nancy Jane Lawrence.
III. Leonard Smith, b. Sept. 23, 1813; d. March 15, 1814.
IV. Elvira Sophia Smith, b. April i, 1815 ; m. Horace
Hammond, b. April 10, 1812 ; d. Jan. 2, 1880. She d.
Feb. 10, 1872. He was owner and manager of Hoise
Car Railroad Works, Waltham, and Captain of the
Waltham Artillery Co. Their children were :
1. Child, unnamed, b. and d.
2, Edward Horace Hammond, b. in Waltham, April 19, 1842;
m. at Grand Rapids, Mich., May 18, 1887, Ada H., b. at
Grand Rapids, Oct. 3, 1865, dau. of John and Helen M.
(Lewis) Crissman. He is a practitioner of Christian
Science Mind Healing. Residence, Grand Rapids, Mich.
V. Leonard Pierce Smith, b. Aug. 6, 1818; m. in Wal-
tham, Jan. 12, 1855, Mary Jane Hale, b. March 26,
1827, dau. of John and Nancy. He was hotel keeper
at Waltham. He d. 1866. Their children were:
1. Leonard Smith, b. Dec. 17, 1855; d. Jan. 10, 18SS.
2. Jennie Mafia Smith, b. June 23, 1857.
148
PARKER GENEALOGY.
VI. Ei.LEN Rebekah Smith, b. Aug. 30, 1821 ; m. in
Waltham, Dec. 4, 1845, Edward Lawrence Bond, b.
in Wilmington, Sept. 10, 1S17, son of Joseph and Lucy
(Davis) Bond. He was a merchant in Boston for
many years, and was the original manufacturer of the
celebrated Bond crackers. He d. in Waltham, Feb. 9,
1891, aged 73 years. Their children were :
1. Edward Smith Bond, b. Oct. 13, 1846; d. Aug. 31, 1847.
2. Nancy Smith Bond, b. Jan. 24, 1848.
3. Ellen Rebekah Bond, b. March 15, 1849; d- Dec. 18, 1849.
VII. Lydia Smith, d. in nine weeks.
John Pierce, b. in Waltham, Aug. 13, 1787 ; m. Sarah Tewks-
bury. They resided in Chelsea. Their children were :
I. Ephraim Pierce, b. June 16, 1813 ; d. June 2, 1833.
II. Sarah Ann Pierce, b. Nov. 4, 1814; d. Oct. 17, 1834,
III. John Payson Pierce, b. March 26, 1818; m. Dec. 5,
1847, Augusta Putnam, dau. of David and Orpha Put-
nam of East Boston (Revere). Their children were:
1. John Theodore Parker Pierce, b. Oct. 17, 1848; d. Aug. 20,
1849.
2. Heman Winthrop Pierce, b. Nov. 25, 1850. He is an artist.
IV. Lydia Maria Pierce, b. Jan. 12, 1821 ; m. Jan. i,
1 841, Joseph Fenno. He d. May 20, 1863. She d.
in June, 1886. Their children were:
Thomas Lillej Fenno, b. Oct. i, 1841 ; m. Addie E. Tucker.
Edward Augustus Fenno, b. Aug. 26, 1842 ; m. Sarah J.
Derby.
Charles Francis Fenno, b. July 30, 1844; resides at Revere.
Sarah Pierce Fenno, b. Feb. 22, 1847; m. Fred. E. Proctor.
Walter Pierce Fenno, b. May 20, 1850; m. Emma E. Tucker.
Fred Austin Fenno, b. Feb. 5, 1S53.
Morton Fenno, b July 6, 1855; d. Jan. 12, i860.
Herbert Fenno, b. Aug. 17, 1858.
Parker Fenno, b. May 10, 1862.
Almira Louisa Pierce, b. July 11, 1823 ; m. Oct. 29,
1844, Robert Aldersay Vinal of Somerville, son of
Robert and Lydia (Stone) Vinal. The father, Robert,
was son of Nathaniel Vinal of Scituate, where he lived
until he went into business in Boston. Lydia Stone
was dau. of John Stone of Charlestown, now Somer-
ville. The family resides in Somerville. Children :
I. Almira Louisa Vinal, b. Feb. 6, 1846. «
3. Robert Aldersay Vinal, b. Sept. 12, 1847.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I49
3. Marie Augusta Vinal, b. Nov. 8, 1849.
4. Arthur Pierce Vinal, b. June 14, 1854.
5. Alice Montague Vinal, b. Oct. 29, 1856.
6. Charles Walter Vinal, b. Aug., 1861.
VI. Elizabeth Payson Pierce, b. June 25, and d. June 28,
1827.
VII. Henry Augustus Pierce, b. Nov. 29, 1828 ; d. Feb.
21, 1863, in a military hospital at Washington, D. C.
He was an original member of Co. H, First Reg. Mass.
Vols., and he took part in every engagement of his
company from Bull Run to Fredericksburg.
VIII. Augusta Smith Pierce, b. Sept. 26, 1830; m. Oct.
26, 1853, Quincy Adams Vinal (brother of Robert),
son of Robert and Lydia (Stone) Vinal. They reside
in Somerville. Their children v^^ere :
1. Anna Parker Vinal, b. Aug. 12, 1854.
2. Mary Lowell Vinal, b. June 16, 1856.
3. Martha Adams Vinal, b. Jan. 6, 1858.
4. Quincj Pierce Vinal, b. April 2, i860.
5. Josephine Vinal, b. Oct. 30, 1861.
6. Sarah Augusta Vinal, b. Jan. 12, 1863.
7. Edward Lincoln Vinal, b. April 21, 1865.
8. Leonora Vinal, b. Dec. 15, 1866.
9. Isabelle Whitney Vinal, b. July 26, 1868.
10. Bertha Runey Vinal, b. Jan. 9, 1870.
11. Eva Neilson Vinal, b. Nov. 20, 1871.
12. John Henry Vinal, b. April 28, 1873.
13. Leslie Thorning Vinal, b. Oct. 29, 1878.
IX. Ephraim Pierce, b. Feb. 20, 1834; enlisted Sept., 1861,
in the Union army, was Capt. of Co. F, Third Reg.,
Minnesota Veteran Vols. He d. July i, 1865, at Du
Vulls Bluff; Ark.
SiBBYL Pierce, b. in Waltham, Jan. 11, 1790; m. Horatio
Bird. She d. about 1826, aged 36 years. Children :
I. Horatio Bird, b. about 1812; d. about 1S42, aged 30
years. He left one dau., who went to Washington 45
years ago.
II. SiBBYL Bird, b. about 1814; d. 1836, aged 22.
III. Lydia Bird, d. in infancy.
IV. Oliver Hazard Perry Bird, b. about 1821 ; was a
sea-captain, when and wliere he d. is unknown to his
relatives. He left two daughters, who were in Chelsea
at the time of their mother's death about 40 years ago.
150 PARKER GENEALOGY.
47. John Parker (John,^ Josiah,'^ John,^ Hananiah,''
ZJ^ow/as'j, son of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore) Parker, b.
in Lexington, Feb. 14, 1761 ; m. in Waltham, Feb. 17, 1784,
Hannah Stearns, the dau. of Benjamin and Hannah (Seger)
Stearns. She was the seventh of a family of eleven children,
and was b. in Lexington, 1766, Hannah Seger was the
descendant of Thomas Seger, or Seager, who came to New-
bury before 1637.
" The descendants seem to have had a taste for frontier life.
Nathaniel, of uncertain date, was one of the earliest settlers of Bethel,
Maine ; the Indians carried him oft' into Canada, as they did many
another man and woman, when they could surprise them in the fields,
driving them thence through the desolate gaps in the White Moun-
tains, to make a bloody trail where now the summer streams of fash-
ion and invalidism so easily flow. Nathaniel had a very hard time
of it, which he must needs write about afterwards. Another mem-
ber of this family enlisted during the Revolutionary War ; was a
sergeant in Capt. Bryant's company of artillery, and went through
many an engagement. His captain lay mortally wounded after the
battle of Brandywine, within the enemy's lines, whence he brought
him away by night upon a litter, with two or three comrades help-
ing, though he too had sustained a severe wound that day. Stories
of the wilderness and of battle were told into greedy ears at the
winter firesides of the Lexington families." *
John Parker was 14 when his father drew the first sword
and captured the first weapon taken in the Revolution. He
was too young to fight, but he helped all he could by carrying
fresh water in wooden bowls to the thirsty soldiers.
John Parker was a stout able-bodied man, "uncommon
strong," could endure cold and heat and abstinence from food
and rest. He was a typical New England yeoman, a "quiet,
thoughtful, silent, reading man, of strong sense, of great
moral worth, reliable, honorable ; worked every day and all
day ; kept good discipline in his family, governed easily ;
taught his children to speak the truth ; always had a book in
his hand in the evening." f
In consideration that John Parker and Hannah Stearns
were the parents of the late Rev. Theodore Parker, world-
* Weiss' Biography of Rev. Theodore Parker.
fThe testimony of his grandson, Rev. Columbus Greene, Esq.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I5I
famous for the advanced views of religion which he preached
in his time, it is interesting to observe their characteristics.
The following description of his parents comes mostly from
Theodore, himself, an affectionate, grateful and revering son,
who loved to speak of his parents ; scarcely ever failed to
record in his busy journal the anniversaries of their birth or
death, and never made such record without dropping the
tenderest words on their memories.
He was a skilful farmer, and had, perhaps, the best peach
orchard in Middlesex, and adopted nearly all the improve-
ments in farming that had proved valuable. But he was
more of a mechanic than a farmer. Like his father, grand-
father and great-grandfather before him, he was a worker in
wood, was expert in making and repairing, and pursued his
occupation of millwright and pumpmaker in his shop, while
the farm work he left mainly to his boys. The shop was
situated just above the house, it being the famous belfry tower
from which rang the peals that awoke the Colonies to action
in their glorious Revolution. He put brains into his work,
originated new methods, "made his head save his hands."
Theodore also informs us: "He was a man of much thought
and reading, with fine power of speech, but colloquial and
orattonal." " He was fond of mathematics, understood algebra
and geometry, plane and solid, and was 'great at figures.'"
He was also fond of metaphysics, psychology and all depart-
ments of intellectual and moral philosophy, and he had read
all the English books upon philosophy. When he got into an
argument, which was seldom, as controversy did not suit him,
he was very effective. He was a great reader, rising before
day in the winter to study, sleeping but about five hours :
was nice and acute in metaphysical analysis ; fond of Natural
History, and well acquainted with the plants of Massachusetts.
He was jovial and funny, but well mannered ; no clownish-
ness, profanity or indecency marred his humor. His towns-
people had a saying, "John Parker has all the manners of the
neighborhood."
Strength of mind is a characteristic of the Parker family.
In this John Parker was no exception, he "was an independ-
ent thinker; in religion was a Unitarian, and in politics a
152 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Federalist, when there were but five in the whole town. He
was eminently just and magnanimous, fearless in the express-
ion of opinion, often arbitrator in quarrels, was guardian of
widows, etc., and administered estates, for there was no
lawyer in town."
He took great pains with the intellectual and moral culture
of his children. " Devoted to education," he was influential
in bringing into the common schools a better class of teachers.
He did not like poetry, but read the works of the leading
authors. He disliked Paley and Edwards. "Paley left us
no conscience," he used to say. He probabl}' disliked Edwards
because he left us no will, as will was a strong feature in the
Parkers. He watched the heavens also, and made himself
acquainted with the movements of the stars. His diligent
study of the Bible made him formidable in theological debate.
Hannah Stearns was the daughter of a well-to-do farmer.
Her son describes her as " a handsome woman, of slight form,
flaxen hair, blue eyes and a singularly fresh and delicate com-
plexion, more nervous than muscular." Her education was
inferior to her husband's, her mind less positive and independ-
ent. Her favorite reading was the Bible and Hymn Book,
but her mind was stored with passages of beauty from English
literature. "She was imaginative, delicate minded, poetic,
yet a very practical woman ; far sighted and so nice in her
perceptions and judgments that it used to startle me some-
times in the body and does now as I think of it." "She took
great pains with the religious training of her children, but
cared little for doctrines ; no bigotry, no cant, no fear. Relig-
ion was love and good works. She had what I call piety, the
ideal part of religion, love of God as well as morality."
Her rigid economy helped her to be generous to the poor.
The father read aloud to his family in the evening. In this
she took much delight, while she sewed and listened. This
kept her supplied with food for thought. He read until the
old, tall clock struck eight, then with a wave of his hand he
dismissed the children to bed. When the children took their
light and went to bed the day had still one grace in store for
them, as they listened till their mother came up to see that
they were well tucked in and to share the sweetness of their
PARKER GENEALOGY. 153
homely prayers. She was fond of romantic stories, of adven-
ture among the Indians, some of which were printed in books,
while others floated about in the form of legend. A fine
memory enabled her to repeat these wild tales, and to carry
about with her such literary stores as she had.
The drinking habits of the period were pure and simple,
and highly commended. However, one of the first recorded
instances of its disuse at funerals was at the house of Mr.
Parker on the occasion of his grandmother's death, 1760.
From this slight sketch it will be seen that John Parker was
a man ahead of his time in both thought and action, and far
ahead of his neighbors and countrymen. He well represented
the Parker family of his time ; intelligent, industrious, pro-
gressive, honorable, firm minded and independent.
She d. May 15, 1823, aged 59, and he d. Nov. 3, 1835,
aged 74. From his note-book, entitled "John Parker's Book,
1788," is copied the following precise account concerning Ms
family :
"Monday the nth day of April, 1785, Polly Parker was born
about 3 o'clock past midday." She m. June 25, 1816, Samuel
Greene, who was a kind and affectionate mother-in-law to her
sister's children. He d. Dec. 5, 1818, and she d. in Lexington in
1831.
" 1786. John Parker was born Thursday, 12th day of October at-
8 o'clock in the morning." He m. Maria Green of W. Cambridge.
"Tuesday, 2nd day of April, was born Lydia Parker, 25 minutes
after seven o'clock in the evening;" she '• departed this life April
25, between 4 and 5 o'clock in the morning in the year I'J^i, aged
2 years and 21 days. She died of the Quinsy."
129. "Tuesday, 15 day of March, 1791, Hannah Parker was
born about 3 o'clock in the afternoon." She m. Samuel Green of
Brighton.
130. "July I, 1793, was born Lydia Parker on Monday Morn-
ing at five o'clock." She m. Isaac Herrick of Brighton.
"December 10, 1795, was born Rebecca Parker between 2 and 3
of the Clock in the morning on Thursday." She d. Feb. 15, 181 2,
unni.
131.. "November 5, 1798. Isaac Parker was born on Monday
between the hours of 4 and 5 of the Clock in the afternoon." He
m. Martha M. Miller.
154 PARKER GENEALOGY.
"Ruth Parker, born on Wednesday, the 12 day of November,
iSoo, in the morning between one & two of the clock." Died
Dec. 27, 1812.
133. "July 16, 1S03, Hiram Stearns Parker was born on
Saturday between the hours of 2 and 3 o'clock past midday." He
m. Nancy Leavitt of New Hampshire.
"Emily Ann Parker born on Sunday, May the 11, 1806, between
the hours of 4 & 5 in the afternoon." She m. Charles Miller of
Somerville. and d. leaving no issue.
133. " August the 24th. iSio. Was Born Theodore Parker 5
minutes in the morning before three of the clock." He m. Lydia
D. Cabot.
48. Isaac Parker (yohn,^ JosiahJ yohji,^ Hanamak,^
Thotnas'), son of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore) Parker, b.
in Lexington, May 11, 1763. He seems to have inherited his
father's military spirit, and very early in life arrayed himself
against the British foe. He was fond of military adventures.
When old enough to run with a musket he served in the
Revolutionar}' war: he was in the battles of Saratoga and
Yorktown, was in garrison at West Point in 1782 and 83,
from whence an affectionate letter written his brother John
Parker is still among the family records at Lexington, as is
also a pass bearing date of Nov. 9, 1783, permitting "Nemiah
Fowler, John Farrer, Titus Baker and Isaac Parker to Cross
the Ferry and pass out in the Country and Return this Eve-
ning." He served many years in the Revolution, and seems
to have continued steadily in the service from his first enlist-
ment to the close of the war. After the war he removed to
Groton, Mass., where he was a merchant, but failing in biisi-
ness he went to South Carolina, and married a lady of means
at Charleston. He was living there up to 1820, the father of
one son. This son m. and had one dau., but he came to
an untimely end by the accidental discharge of a gun in his
hand while gunning.
49. Ruth Parker (Jo/m,^ Josiah^'' Jokji,^ Hananiah^'^
Thomas'" )^ dau. of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore) Parker, b.
Dec. 7, 1765 ; m. Nov. 14, 1787, David Bent. He was the
second or third son of Micah Bent who emigrated to Nova
PARKER GENEALOGY. I55
Scotia, probably about the middle of the last century. They
lived in Belisle, where, upon the old homestead, still reside
several of their great-grandchildren, the children of Rufus,
the third son. The descendants of both the Parkers and
Bents are numerous in this and the adjoining counties, and
they have in several instances intermingled by marriage.
There were several other sons born unto the Micah Bent
referred to above. Besides David there were William (whose
son is Dr. W. H. Bent of Argyle, N. S.), and Stephen (whose
grandson is J. G. H. Parker of Bridgetown, N. S., a lineal
descendant of the ancient Parker line of Groton, Mass.).
David Bent d. Aug. i6, 1831, aged 67 years. Ruth (Parker)
Bent d. March 12, 1838, aged 73 years.
The children of David and Ruth (Parker) Bent were :
I. Asaph Bent, now dead, m. Widow Vailes and had three
children : •
1. David Bent, m. Suzan Stronach. They reside in
Forest Glen, Annapolis Co., N. S. Children :
1. George Bent.
2. David Bent.
3. Susan Bent, m. George Stronach and had three children.
4. Ruth Bent, m. Hoyt Foster and had six children.
II. Isaac Bent, now dead, m. Arminella Young. Children:
1. Abigail Bent, m. James Lettinej and is now deceased.
2. Louisa Bent.
III. RuFUS Bent, now dead, m. Ann Starrit. Children :
1. Sarah Ann Bent, now deceased, m. James Moore.
2. George Bent, now deceased, m. Mary Ann Inglis, and their
children were : Frank Bent, A. Cliftbrd Bent and five
daughters. This family resides upon the old Bent horrie-
stead in Belisle, Annapolis Co., N. S.
3. David Bent, now deceased.
4. Zenas Bent, now deceased.
5. Elizabeth Bent, now deceased, m. Simeon Freeman and had
three children.
6. Mary Bent, who resides in Belisle, N. S.
7. Edwin Bent, now deceased.
8. Caroline Bent, now deceased, m. Eli Boehner, tind had two
children.
9. Elizabeth Bent, resides in Somerset, Kings Co., N. S.
IV. Arathusa Bent, now deceased, m. Charles Barteaux.
156 PARKER GENEALOGY.
V. Abigail Bent, now deceased, m. Simon Starrit. Two
children :
1, Euphenia Starrit, now deceased.
2. Amanda Starrit, m. Edmund Bent, is now deceased.
VI. Rebecca Bent, now deceased, m. Joseph Starrit.
Children :
1. George Starrit, m. Emily Bentley, and has three children.
2. Benjamin Starrit, m. Clara Fowler, and has two children.
3. Stephen Starrit, now deceased.
4. David Starrit, now deceased, left two children.
5. John Starrit.
6. Abigail Starrit, now deceased.
7. Ruth Starrit, now deceased, m. Abel Wheelock.
8. Miriam Starrit, d. unm.
50. Rebecca Parker (John,^ Josiah,'^ John,^ Hana-
ntah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore)
Parker, b. in Lexington, June 28, 1768; m. May 29, 1803,
Peter Clark of Watertown, now Belmont, whose first wife,
Sarah Grant of Watertown, having died Jan. i, 1800. He
was the son of Thomas and Sarah (Bright) Clark of Water-
town, whose ancestry is shown in '■'•The Genealogy of the
Descendants of Hugh Clark of Watertown.^'' He was a
farmer, lived in that part of the town which is now Belmont,
and d. May 2, 1859, aged 90. Peter Clark was intelligent and
fond of reading, but better than all, endowed with a sweetness
and liberality and a real courtesy which mere culture can never
bring. Rebecca (Parker) Clark was a very worthy woman.
She d. in Belmont, Jan. 10, 185 1, aged over 82 years.
Their children were :
1. Peter Bright Clark, b. May 2, 1S04; d. in Monroe, La.,
Sept. 9, 1834, unm.
2. Isaac Grant Clark, b. Jan. iS, 1806; d. in Belmont, Dec.
8, 1861, unm.
3. Harriett Rebecca Clark, b. Nov. 22, 1808 ; d. July 24,
1841, unm.
4. Sarah Grant Clark, b. March 10, 1810. She resides upon
the old homestead in Belmont, unm.
51. Robert Parker (fohn,^ Joslah,'^ John,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas^), son of Capt. John and Lydia (Moore)
Parker, was b. in Lexington, April 15, 1771 ; m. Oct. 22,
PARKER GENEALOGY. I57
1794, Elizabeth Simonds, who was b. in Lexington, July 4,
1772, the dau. of Joshua and Martha (Bowers) Simonds of
Lexington. The father, Joshua Simonds, was one of the
minute-men who met the British on the 19th of April, 1775.
It was he who went into the meeting-house for powder, and
finding himself cut off from his company, cocked his gun and
placed the muzzle on an open cask of powder, resolved to
blow up the church in case the British should enter it. The
dau. Elizabeth was then but three years old. Robert Parker
was a farmer and lived not Jar from his brother John Parker,
Esq. He was remembered by his nephew. Rev. Theodore
Parker, as a "tall, grave man." He lived in the west part of
the town on what is now the Neville place, on the Concord
road. Although a man of very quiet and gentle demeanor
his influence for good was widely felt. He d. Dec. 31, 1840,
aged 70. She d. April 11, 1849, aged 77. They were interred
in the graveyard at Lexington. Her gravestone epitaph shows
the motherly sentiment so characteristic of her :
"Father, I will that they also whom thou hast given me be with
me where I am."
Their children were :
134. Mary Parker, b. Dec. 26, 1794; m. Isaac W. Lawrence
of West Cambridge.
JosiAH Parker, b. July 6, 179S; d. Dec. 25, 1840, unm.
Thomas Parker, b. March 16 and d. April 30, 1800.
135. Eliza Eleanor Parker, b. Sept. 20, 1804 ; m. Nathan
Robbins of West Cambridge.
136. Almira Parker, b. Aug. 30, 1806; m. Joshua Robbins of
West Cambridge.
Jonathan Simonds Parker, b. Aug. 8, 1808; d. Feb. 13, 1813.
137. Jonathan Simonds Parker, b. July 30, 1812; m. Abigail
Tattle of Lexington.
138. William Bowers Parker, b. Jan. 13, 181 7; m. Elizabeth
Garfield.
52. Susanna Parker (Josrfh,^ Josiah,^ Jo/in,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs) Parker,
b. in Weston, Dec. 31, 1760. It is supposed that it was she
who m. a Gregory, probably a Lincoln man, as it is known
158 PARKER GENEALOGY.
that one of the daughters of Joseph Parker m. one of that
name. Where she Hved is at present unknown ; likewise her
issue. Research among the Gregory family may soon reveal
her posterity.
53. Levi Parker CJosefh^^ yosiah,^ 'yohn,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas'), son of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs) Parker, was b.
April 16, 1762. He was soon after living in Roxbury, as his
venerable son, Isaac Parker of Chicago, informs us. He
writes :
" My fiither, Levi Parker, was thirteen years old when the Battle
of Bunker Hill was fought, which he witnessed. When he was
seventeen he enlisted for the remainder of the war, and was a soldier
over three years. He was given his discharge by Gen. Knox of
Boston. After the war he went to Hubbardston to live and married
my mother there. Her name was Mary Lyon. They lived there
until they had six children, then they moved to Royalton, Vermont,
where the other three were born."
The date of his marriage was Oct. 26, 1786. She was the
dau. of Bazael and Mary Lyon of Hubbardston. He with
cousins Hollis and Isaac Parker, who later settled in Shrews-
bury and Westborough, respectively, lived in the same great
division in Hubbardston, in the southeast corner of the town,
which part was later set off to Princeton. His cousin Amos
Parker lived in the other extremity of the town. Levi Parker
was a mason by trade. Upon his removal to Royalton, Vt.,
he bought 100 acres of timber land, cleared it up and made a
farm. He d. in Royalton, March, 1813. The widow, Mary
(Lyon) Parker, went to live with her son-in-law, Horace
Garfield, in Potsdam, N. Y., and there passed the remainder
of her days. She d. there aged 88.
Children b. in Hubbardston :
139. Samuel Parker, b. March 4, 1787 ; m. Laurania Aikins.
140. Martha Parker, b. Nov. 19, 1788; m. Shubael Crandall
of Connecticut.
141. Aaron Parker, b. Feb. 20, 1791.
Polly Parker, b. March 14, 1793; m. Horace Garfield. They
had three sons ; one still resides in Potsdam, N. Y.
John Parker, b. Aug. 7, 1795 ; d. April 7, 1825, unm.
Elisha Parker, b. Oct. 25, 1798; m. Alvira Colburn.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I59
Children b. in Royalton, Vt. :
142. Anna Parker, b. April 13, 1801 ; m. David Paige.
Miriam Parker, b. May 5, 1804; m. Harvey Edgarton. No issue.
143. Isaac Parker, b. Dec. i, 1806; m. Mary Linsted of Har-
rington, Mass.
54. Lois Parker (Josefh,^ Josiah,'^ John,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas^), dau. of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs) Parker, b. in
Lincoln, Nov. 17, 1763 ; int. of m. entered on Weston records
to John Coburn of Weston, Sept. 14, 1782. He was a farmer
and lived in Weston. He d. in June, 1796, and she m. 2nd,
Holbrook. She lived in that part of Lincoln through
which the British troops marched on the famous 19th of April,
and often related the story of the excitement of the family, as
she described how she and the other "women folks" retreated
to the woods on this occasion. She was then but 12 years
old, and it plainly shows in which part of Lincoln was Joseph
Parker's home.
All the children were b. in Weston :
1. Sarah Coburn, b. March 11, 1785; m. Thomas Heard of
East Sudbury, now Wayland, where he was b. May 34, 1776.
He d. in Waltham, March 7, 1S32. She d. in Watertown,
Sept. 4, 1809, leaving dau. :
I. Jane E. Heard, b. in Watertown, April 11, 1806; m.
at Waltham, by Ralph Waldo Emerson, Aug. 24, 1834,
Daniel Emerson of Walthau), son of Peter and Molly
(Muzz}') Emerson. She d. Nov. 16, 1870. She was
his second wife. He was b. in Sandown, N. H., Sept.
16, 1788. He came to Waltham in 1814, and d. there
in 1874, after a residence of 60 years. He held no
public office except school committee. He was a
blacksmith and wheelwright. Their children were :
1. Thomas Heard Emerson, b. in Waltham, March 20, 1836;
m. Elizabeth Lord, dau. of W. W. and Lucy E. (Centre)
Wellington, b March 3, 1S43. They reside in Cambridge-
port and have one dau.
2. Warren Frank Emerson, b. July 29, 1839; m. June i, 1S70,
Lillian, dau. of John C. and Elizabeth A. Thorp. They
reside in Waltham and have two children.
♦ 3. Sarah Jane Emerson, b. Sept. 12, 1841 ; resides in Waltham.
2. Abijah Coburn, b. Jan. 21, 1787; m. 1812, Lydia, dau. of
Josiah and Mary (Flagg) Hastings. She d. in 1S13. He m.
l6o PARKER GENEALOGY.
3iul, March i6, 1814, Sophia Hastings, sister of his first wife.
She d. March 3, 1S69. He was a boot and shoe manufacturer
and farmer. He was selectman and representative to the
General Court. He d. Feb. 4, 1861, aged 74. Children:
I. Henry Coburn, b. Nov. 25, 1814; d. Oct. 14, 1815.
II. Abijah Coburn, b. June 25, 1816. Resides on the
homestead in Weston, unm. He has been a boot and
shoe manufacturer and farmer. He was selectman,
and assessor for several years.
III. Charles Coburn, b. Nov. 24, 1817; m. (i) Jan. i,
1843, Sarah P. Floyd. She d. Dec. 28, 1845, leaving
dau. Sarah, and he m. (2) June i, 1848, Jane M.
Dyer, dau. of James and Anna M. Dyer of Boston.
She resides in Cambridge. He d. April 25, 1890.
Their children were :
1. Sarah E. Coburn, b. March 19, 1S44; d. Jan. 4, 1S61.
2. Anna M. Coburn, b. May 15, 1849; d. June 5, 1849.
3. Jeannie M. Coburn, b. Aug. 31, 1S50; d. Sept. 3, 1S50.
4. Anna M. Coburn, b. May 24, 1852 ; d. Jan. 23, 1859.
5. Jeannie M. Coburn, b. Feb. 24, 1856; is an assistant in the
Harvard College Library.
6. Charles H. Coburn, b. May 17, 1S65; d. Sept. 7, 1866.
IV. John Coburn, b. Jan. 19, 1823 ; m. April 26, 1848,
Emily Matilda Feirce, dau. of Benjamin and Almira
(Harrington) Feirce of Weston. He resides in Weston.
He has been librarian of the Weston Town Library for
31 years. She d. March 24, 1890. Children:
1. Elizabeth Sophia Coburn, b. Sept. 26, 1849; '^ ^" assistant in
the Harvard College Library.
2. Emily Frances Coburn, b. Sept. 21, 1S51.
3. George Henry Coburn, b. Aug. 27 and d. Aug. 28, 1853.
4. Agnes Peirce Coburn, b. Sept. 15, 1857 ; is an assistant in the
Harvard College Library.
5. Mary Emma Coburn, b. July 5, 1861 ; d. Oct. 12, 1888.
V. Henry Coburn, b. Aug. 10, 1826; d. Nov. 18, 1847.
VL George Coburn, b. July 20, 1829; d. Aug. 22, 1S47.
VII. Charlotte Sophia Coburn, b. Nov. 5, 1S36. She
was a school teacher several years.
3. Mary Coburn, b. Oct., 1789; m. Nathan Russell of East Sud-
bury, now Wayland. They left no issue.
4. William Coburn, b. about 1791 ; m. Maria Travis of Weston ;
d. in 1832. Two daughters and both m. *
5. Isaac Coburn, b. about 1793 ; d. at age of 19.
6. Lois Coburn, b. about 1793 ; m. Charles Weston of Weston.
PARKER GENEALOGY. l6l
7. Eliza Holbrook, b. in Weston ; d. 1830, unm.
8. Samuel Holbrook, b. in Weston ; d. in Reading. He was m.
two tiines. His children were :
1. Samuel Holbrook ; d. without issue.
II. Lyman Holbrook ; d. without issue.
III. Josephine Holbrook; ni. Nickols, and resides
in Lynn.
IV. Eliza Holbrook ; m. Aborn. She resides in
Wakefield.
V, George Holbrook ; resides in Provincetown.
55. Joseph Parker, Jr. (Joseph,'^ Josiak,^ John,^
Hananiah-r Thomas^), son of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs)
Parker, b. in Lincoln, Oct. 4, 1767 ; int. of m. entered on
records of Weston, Oct. 16, 1791 ; m. Nov. 17, 1791, Polly*
Fisk, dau. of Samuel and Mary Fisk of Weston. She was b.
in Weston, March 6, 1771. Her father, Samuel Fisk, served
in the opening of hostilities against England, 1775. They
settled in Weston on a small farm, one-half mile south of
the meeting-house. Here they passed the remainder of their
lives, with the exception of a few years spent in Lincoln. He
was a blacksmith as well as a farmer.
Their children were :
144. Eunice Parker, b. in Weston, Aug. 13, 1792; m. Cyrus
Pratt of Needham.
Mary Parker, b. in Lincoln, Jan. 19, 1794 ; " m. in Weston, April
4, 1S16, Richard Hammond, son of Moses Hammond of Charlton.
She d. in Charlton, Nov. 18, 1816, aged 23." t
William Parker, b. in Lincoln, March 5, 1795 ; d. in Weston,
Sept. 22, 1798.
145. Sophia Parker, b. in Weston, Oct. 6, 1796 ; m. Montgomery
Haven of Shrewsbury.
William Parker, b. in Weston, Nov, 2, 1798; d. Oct. 13, iSoi.J
* As was then the custom this name was a substitute for Mary and she was
known by both.
t From Joseph Parker's family Bible.
J An occurrence which " tries men's souls" was the sudden deaths of these
two children. The son, William, a promising child of three years, died sud-
denly, and was buried on the second day following. The parents returned
home only to find the baliy, Joseph, Jr., dead also, having caught the same
disease and having died as suddenly as his brother.
II
I 62 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Joseph Parker, Jr., b. in Weston, Aug. 17, 1800; d. Oct. 15, 1801.
146. Isaac Parker, b. in Watertown, July 19, 1S02 ; m. Lucy
Dinsmore.
147. Cythia Parker, b. in Weston. Jan. 15. 1810; m. in Wal-
tham, Dec. 3, 1836, David M. Bathrick.
Adaline Parker, b. in Weston, Marcli 7. 1814 ; d. in Weston,
March 27. 1815.
56. Elisha Parker ( Joseph, ^ Josiah,^ John,^ Hatia-
niah,^ Thomas^), son of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs) Parker,
b. in Lincoln, Sept. 10, 1775, twin brother with Rebecca
Parker. His int. of m. stands upon the records of the town
of Weston bearing date of Feb. 23, 1800. He was m. during
the same year to Miss Jerusha Wentworth of Weston. They
lived for several years in Maine, then settled in Stoughton,
Mass., where he was a blacksmith and a well known and
esteemed citizen.
Their children were ;
148. Cloy Parker, b. March 7, 1800; m. Caleb Carr of Easton.
149. Isaac Parker, b. April 23, 1802 ; m. Flavilla Crosbury.
150. Elisha H. Parker, b. April 17, 1805 ; m. Charlotte Skinner.
151. Rebecca R. Parker ; m. Martin Wales of Stoughton.
Samuel Saw Parker, b. June 25, 1810.
152. Hannah Parker, b. Jan. 13, 1813 ; m. John .Smith.
153. Hiram Parker, b. March z'^^ 1816; m. Rhody Freeman of
Orleans.
154. Jonathan Capin Parker ; m. Martha Briggs of Stoughton.
155. David Manley Parker ; m. Mary Ann Andrews of VVal-
pole.
57. Rebecca Parker (Joseph,^ Josiah,^ John,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas'^), dau. of Joseph and Eunice (Hobbs) Parker,
b. in Lincoln, Sept. 10, 1775; twin sister of Elisha Parker;
m. in Weston, Dec. 13, 1796, Elisha Rand of Weston. He
may have been the son of Benjamin Rand, who belonged to
the company of minute-men from Weston, and served on
several occasions in 1775.
58. John Parker (Pcter,^ John,^ John,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas'), son of Peter and Ruth (Eaton) Parker, b. in
Framingham, Nov. 16, 1762 ; m. 1781, Deborah Lamb, "who
PARKER GENEALOGY. 163
was baptized 1760, dau. of Samuel Lamb of Framingham,
whose great-grandfather, Thomas Lamb, came in the fleet
with Winthrop in 1630. Samuel Lamb lived in the west part,
north of the Lamb Hill, where a cellar-hole remains."*
John Parker lived in the southwest part of the town, north-
east of Nathan Bridges, on the old way from the Bridges
place, through the Goulding pasture, to George Nurse's. He
was one of the first members of the Framingham Artillery Co.,
organized 1799. He removed, April i, 1800, to Royalston,
where the last four children of his large family were born.
They lived in Royalston until 1834, when in Oct. the parents
removed to Southborough to live with their son John Parker,
Jr. He d. at this place March 10, 1838, and his wife followed
him only five days later, March 15, 1838. In appearance
John Parker was a well built man of about 5 feet 10 inches ;
his hair sandy, inclining to red. He was an intelligent look-
ing man, ready and frank in speech. Although naturally
quiet and thoughtful, he loved an argument and was a stirring
talker with the gift of something like eloquence. He was a
public spirited citizen, a most resolute Whig and a Free-
Mason.
Their children were :
156. Naxcie Parker, b. Dec. 11, 1783; m. Nathan Goddard of
Athol.
Betsey Parker, b. March 17, 1785 ; d. July 16, 1796.
John Parker, b. April 23, 1787; d. June 18, 1796.
167. Mary Parker, b. June 2, 1789; m. Capt. John Forristall
of Winchendon.
Deborah Parker, b. April 12, 1792 ; m. Jan. 8, 1839, De^- Samuel
Morse of Hopkinton. She d. April 26, 1865. She was an attract-
ive and worthy lady. She left no issue.
158. Peter Parker, b. July 16, 1794; m. (i) Sarah Sawyer of
Boylston.
Eliza Parker, b. Aug. 23, 1796; d. Jan. 30, 1803.
15^. John Parker, b. June 16. 179S; m. Mary Ann Fales of
Shrewsbury.
160. Ruth Parker, b. July 31, 1800; m. Capt. Nathan Leland
of HoUiston.
* Temple.
164 PARKER GENEALOGY.
161. Abigail Parker, b. March 15, 1802 ; m. Newell Ware of
Walpole.
16S. JosiAH Parker, b. July 31, 1S04; m. Caroline Peck of
Boylston.
163. Presson Parker, b. Oct. 24, 1807; m. Mary Newton of
Southborough.
59. Nathan Parker ( Peter, '^ John,^ John.i Hananiah,''
Thomas^), son of Peter and Ruth (Eaton) Parker, b. in
Framingham, Oct. 23, 1764; m. in Newton, March 17, 1791,
Catharine Murdock of Newton, dau. of Aaron Murdock.
Nathan Parker enlisted for the suppression of Shays' Rebellion ;
belonged to Framingham Artillery Co., and with wife were
admitted to the Church 1792. He d. Aug. 17, 1826; she d.
Nov. I, 1836.
Their children were :
164. Harriett Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1793 ; m. Josiah Bigelow of
Framingham.
Preston Parker, b. May 10, 1796; drowned Oct. 10, 1798.
165. Maria Parker, b. April 16, 1799; m. Abijah Fay of
Southborough.
Preston Parker, b. Nov. 2, 1802 ; d. Aug. 20, 1804.
166. Peter Parker, b. June 18, 1804; m. Harriett Colby Web-
ster.
Catherine Parker, b. Aug. 21, 1806; d. Oct. 30, 1842.
60. Abigail Parker ( Peter, z John,^ John,^ Hananiah,-'
Thomas^), b. in Framingham, Dec. 15, 1766; m. June 8,
1803, Lovell Howe of Marlborough. They removed to South-
boroucrh, where he was a farmer and bookbinder. They d.
in Southborough.
Their children were :
1. Eliza Howe ; d. unm.
2. Caroline Howe; d. unm.
3. Peter Parker Howe; m. Julia Newton of Southborough.
He was a very conscientious and active worker, a man of pro-
nounced character, and always distinguished by his strong will
and independent ideas. Whatever he undertook he did with
all his might. He took a lively interest in the education of the
young. He was a school-teacher in Southborough for the
PARKER GENEALOGY. 165
major part of his life. In his school-he was very strict, allow-
ing no deviation from study, but was a good teacher. All
persuasion seldom changed the belief of Parker Howe. But
he was an intellectual, sensible, sober man, and was ever ready
for an argument with his own thoughtful ideas. He will not
be forgotten. Associated with Dea. John Parker, the town
of Southborough will long remember his name and his work.
He was the right man in the right place. He lectured against
intemperance, then a great evil in the town, and slavery. With
Dea. Parker he held revival meetings. He worked hard and
lived to see their causes triumph and the town improve from
its former standard to one of the foremost rank in the State.
He was selectman and representative. His death occurred
1869.
4. Abigail Howe ; m. Charles Fales, b. in Shrewsbury, June 2,
1807, brother of Mary Ann Fales, whose name appears on the
preceding page. They were children of Daniel and Sarah
(Pratt) Fales of Shrewsbury. It is said that Daniel's father,
Capt. Fales, was b. in Wales, was there educated as a physi-
cian, and lived afterwards in Shrewsbury to almost the age of
100 years. His wife was the dau. of Pastor Mann of Wren-
tham. Their child was :
I. Caroline Elizabeth Fales.
61. Ruth Parker ( Peter, ^ John,^ Jokn,^ Hatianiah,^
Thomas^), b. in Framingham, Jan. 8, 1769 ; m. Nov. 8, 1785,
Joseph Bigelow, Jr., of Holliston. They lived in Holliston.
Their children v\^ere :
1. JosiAH Bigelow, b. Oct. 26, 1790; was captain of the Hopkin-
ton militia company; m. March 20, 1821, Harriett Parker,
his cousin. (No. 164.)
2. John Bigelow ; d. aged about 23.
3. Joseph Bigelow; m. Wilson, dau. of Dr. John and
Nancy Wilson of Hopkinton. They lived in Natick. They
left no issue.
4. Sally Bigelow; m. Gilbert Dench Wilson, brother of Joseph
Bigelow's wife. They settled in Southborough. When a
young man he began teaching school and taught for 16 years.
He was a well read and educated man for his time. He was
a farmer in Southborough. He was a strong believer in anti-
slavery. Their children were :
I. George Overing Wilson, b. May 24, 1820; d. 1864.
l66 PARKER GENEALOGY.
II. Charles Bigelow VVilsox, b. April ii, 1823; m.
■ Turner of Framingham ; entered the business
of Boyd & Corey, shoe manufacturers of Marlborough.
He became a silent partner and it is said he once saved
the firm from a failure. He was a tavern-keeper and
was the one who enlarged the American House in Bos-
ton. He d. in 1885.
III. Henry Gilbert Wilson, b. Nov. 7, 1830; m. and
settled in Southborough, where he was a farmer. Re-
moved to Northborough, where they now reside.
Their son is the Rev. Lewis G. Wilson of Hopedale.
IV. Wallace Wallace Wilson, b. Jan. 7, 1839; d. 1S40.
5. Ruth Bigelow ; m. in Hopkinton, Jan. 20, 1818, Amherst
Messenger, b. Oct., 1795, d. Feb., 1887, son of John and
Margaret (Fisher) Messenger. He was a shoemaker. They
lived first in Wrentham, then in Hopkinton, in the part which
is now Ashland. Removed to Sherborn, Holliston, Peru,
Vt., and Natick, Mass. He was justice of the peace for a
number of years in Peru, Vt. She d. in Sherborn, March,
1828. He d. in Natick. Their children were :
I. Emily Waldo Messenger, b. April 19, 1820; m. Sept.
29, 1842, Joseph Hey wood Simonds, b. in Peru, Vt.,
May 19, 1818. He was a farmer in Peru. She resided
in Southborough. Their children were :
1. Albert Joseph Simonds, b. in Peru, Vt., Sept. 2, 1S45 ; served
in the late war three years : representative in 1S90.
2. Ruth Eliza Simonds ; d. in Natick.
3. Lewis Messenger Simonds ; d. in Natick.
4. Dexter Bigelow Simonds; d. in Peru, Vt.
6. Sarah Ann Messenger, b. Nov. 11, 1822; m. in Natick,
Nov. 29, 1845, Dexter Washburn, b. in Natick, Oct. 30, 1820,
son of Jedediah and Mita (Frost) Washburn. He is a shoe
manufacturer. They reside in Florida. Their children were :
I. Janette Washburn, b. June 6, 1850.
II. Alice Washburn, b. Nov. 16, 1854; m. Nov., 1875,
Silas Elijah Simonds, and has three children.
III. Agnes Bigelow Washburn, b. March 2, 1858 ; m.
Nov. 2, 1 881, Walter Irving Fletcher, and has had
three children, one of whom is living.
IV. Fannie Emily Washburn, b. March 6, 1866; m. June
3, 1886, Alvah Flansburg, and has three children.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 167
7. John Bigelow Messenger, b. 1826; m. Louisa Washburn.
Their children were :
I. Charles VV. Messenger ; resides in Natick.
u. Emma Messenger ; m. W. Tilton.
8. Charles Bigelow ; m. Francis; deceased.
9. George Bigelow; m. April 17, 1831, Amy Learned. He d.
Feb. 28, 1S67. She d. Oct., 1887. Their children were:
I. George Bigelow, b. 1832 ; d.
II. Mary Bigelow, b. Nov. 24, 1836; d.
III. Adeliza Bigelow, b. Oct. 10, 1839.
IV. Harriett Bigelow, b. Feb. 17, [841.
V. Susan Bigelow, b. Oct. 11, 1844.
62. Experience Parker ( Peter, ^ John,^ John,^ Hana-
niah,^ Thomas^), b. in Framingham, Feb. 19, 177 1 ; m. Feb.
3, 1797, Dea. Luther Haven of Framingham, b. April 15,
1770, son of Dea. Jesse Haven of Holliston. He came to
Framingham, Dec. 21, 1791, to live with David Haven, Esq.
He was one of the fifth generation in descent from Richard
Haven, Esq., of Lynn, the emigrant ancestor. They lived in
various places in Framingham, he bought the farm afterwards
known as the Bigelow paper mill site, exchanged farms with
Artemas Parker and Enoch Belknap. Removed to Rice's
End, where they lived the remainder of their lives. He was
deacon and representative. Mrs. Exprerience Haven d. Oct.
16, 1817. He m. again, this time to widow Anna Drury
Rutter. He d. July 11, 185 1.
Their children were :
1. Clarissa Haven, b. Feb. 25, 1798; m. Dec. 19, 1822, Corne-
lius Morse, b. about 1797, son of Benjamin and Sarah (Claflin)
Morse of Framingham. They settled in Framingham on the
Hersey place, afterwards removed to Newton. He d. July 29,
1872, aged 74. She d. in 1877. Their children were:
I. Horatio Morse, b. April 7, 1S25.
II. Henry Morse, b. Jan. 21, 1827; d. Oct. 28, 1855.
III. Clara Morse.
2. Ruth Eaton Haven, b. March 9, 1800; m. March 31, 1829,
John C. Bixby, native of Hopkinton. They settled at Salem
End on the Henry Brewer place ; removed to VVestborough
l68 PARKER GENEALOGY.
and West Newton, where he was station agent of B. & A.
R. R. He d. in Lowell, 1S82, aged 82. Children :
I. John Bixby ; I'esides in West Newton.
11. Henry L. Bixby ; resides in West Newton.
3. Luther Haven, b. Aug. 14, 1806. Teacher in Leicester
Academy; U. S. Collector; d. March 9. 1S66, in Chicago.
4. George Haven ; Supt. of New York Central R. R. ; lived at
Syracuse, N. Y., and Framingham ; represented the town of
Framingham for one or two years in the Legislature ; d. in
1883, at Framingham.
63. Patty Parker ( Peter, ^ John,^ John,i Hananiah,^
Thomas^), b. in Framingham, April 15, 1773 ; m. Nov. i,
1793, Eleazer BuUard of Holliston.
Their children were :
1. Charles Bullard ; was in business in Qiiincy Market. Boston.
many years, and lived in Somerville.
2. Ruth Bullard ; d. young.
3. Jemima Bullard ; m. Cutler of Holliston. Had five or
six children.
4. JosiAH Bullard.
5. Joseph Bullard.
6. Eleazer Bullard.
64. Sally Parker (PeterJ> 'John,'' yohn,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas"^), b. in Framingham, March 25, 1775 : m. April 21,
1800, William Fames of Holliston. He was a farmer, but
was an invalid for 37 years. They lived and died in Holliston.
She d. April 4, 1875, and he d. April 5, 1875.
Their children were :
1. Harriett Eames, b. July 39, 1801 ; d. in Framingham, Oct.
6, 1891 , unm.
2. MiLLiTiAH Eames, b. May 5, 1803 ; d. in Ashland, unm.. Jan.
12, 1882.
3. Sally Eames, b. Sept. i, 1805 ; m. in Holliston, April i. 1826,
Daniel Ryder, b. 1795, d. April 5. 1875. She d. April 4,
1875. He was a farmer in Ashland. Their children were :
I. Louisa Jane Ryder, b. Oct. 20, 1828 ; d. Jan. 20, 1833.
II. Charles Ferdinand Ryder, b. Oct. 9, 1S30; d. Jan.
20, 1833.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
169
III. Sarah Ryder, ].. li^^.*. t ^ r\ ,. o o
' >• twins, b. Oct. 7, and d. Oct. 8. 1832.
IV. Nancy Ryder, J
V. Daniel Bainbridge Ryder, b. May 23, 1S34 ; m. Susan
Gerrold of Boston ; reside in San Jose, Cal. Children :
1. Bainbridge Lincoln Rjder.
2. Frank Rjder.
3. Louisa Jane Ryder.
VI. George William Ryder, b. Sept. 24, 1836; m. Eliza
Jane 'Hildreth of Lexington ; reside in San Jose, Cal.
Children :
1. Georgian na Ryder.
2. Jennie Ryder.
3. Lona Ryder; deceased.
4. Willie Ryder.
5. Irving Ryder.
VII. Charles Henry Ryder, b. Aug. 7, 1839; d. May 23.
1862.
viii. Sarah Jane Ryder, b. May 28, 1844; m. in Ashland,
Dec. 10, 1867, Charles Eugene Loring, b. in Hopkin-
ton, Aug. 8, 1842, son of John J. and Lucretia D.
Loring. He is a farmer in Ashland. Children :
1. Mary Lucretia Loring, b. June 8, 1872.
2. Arthur Eugene Loring, b. Nov. 7, 1876.
Mary Eames, b. Aug. 27, 1809 ; m. Reuben Dewing of Hollis-
ton. They lived in Holliston and had children. She d. Feb.
2, 1846. Children :
I. Elijah Dewing; m. Louise Willet of Holliston; lived
and d. in Natick. One child :
I. Mary Louise Dewing.
II. Mary Jane Dewing; m. Wm, Henry Howard; lived
in Braintree ; d. Oct. 30, 1874. Children :
1. Maria Willet Howard.
2. Lizzie Willet Howard.
Annie Eames, b. Dec. 11, 1814; m. Henry Bacon, b. Jan. 31,
1814, son of Henry Bacon of Qiiincy. Their children were :
I. William Henry Bacon, b. July 14, 1845 ; m. in
Memphis, Tenn., Feb. 10, 1872, Mattie E. Wilkins of
Bangor, Me.
II. Mary Annie Bacon, b. March 18, 1848. Resides in
South Framingham.
III. Caroline Elizabeth Bacon, b. July 28, 185 1 ; m.
George H. Patch, b. in Lexington, Dec. 8, 1844.
Corp. Patch, as he was called, was a very prominent
lyo PARKER GENEALOGY.
member of the G. A. R. He was a soldier and orator,
irie was Corporal in Co. I, 19th Regiment. He de-
livered the oration at Gettysburg, Oct. 7, 1885 ; was
Commander of the Department of Mass., G. A. R.,
and d. in South Framingham, July 26, 1887. Their
two children are both deceased :
1. Willie Patch.
2. Adaline Patch.
65. Josiah Parker ( Peter, ^ John,^ John,^ Hananiah,^
Thomas^), b. in Framingham, x\pril 26, 1779; ''lived on the
homestead with Nathan till 1828, when he built on the hill
where Leander Barber now lives ; admitted to Church, 1838 ;
d. Feb. 26, 1854."* He bore the title of Captain. He m.
April 8, 1804, Olive Stone, dau. of Dr. Elijah and Elizabeth
(Lyndes) Stone of Framingham. She was b. in Framing-
ham, July 22, 1799, one of a family of ten; admitted to the
Church, 1815 : d. in Framingham, July 4, 1826.
Their children were :
167. Charles Parker, b. March 6, 1805 ; m. Mary H. Walling-
ford of Claremont, N. H.
Olive Parker ; d. young.
168. Eliza Ann Parker, b. July 17, 1810; m. Thomas Hast-
ings, Jr.
169. Emily Parker, b. Nov. 17, 1813 ; m. Daniel Parmenter.
^Q. Artemas Parker ( Peter, '^ John,^ John,T> Haiia-
niah,'' Thomas'), son and last surviving child of Peter and
Ruth (Eaton) Parker, b. in Framingham, Dec. 20, 1781 ; m.
Jan. 21, 1806, Almy Clark, "dau. of Rev. Edward and
Elizabeth (Weaver-Look) Clark of Framingham. The father
came to Framingham from R. I. ; was minister of the Baptist
Church 1781 to 1790, and from 1801 to 1809. Almy Clark
was b. June 21, 1780. Artemas Parker bought, July 5,
1806, 71 acres, a part of the Brinley farm, of John Lovell ;
built the Dea. E. M. Capen house; in 1819 exchanged with
Dea. Luther Haven for the Bigelow place in Ashland."! He
belono-ed to the Framingham artillery company from its
organization in 1799; and served in Capt. John Temple's
* Temple,
f Same.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I7I
company of artillery, in Col. William Edwards' regiment in
the War of 1812. He d. in Framingham, Aug. 28, 1825.
His wife d. Jan. 29, 1832, aged 52.
Their children were :
170. Edward C. Parker, b. Sept. 26, 1806; m. Mary Leland of
Holliston.
171. George Parker, b. April 19, iSoS ; m. Mary Ann White.
172. Curtis Parker, b. June 28, iSio; m. Eliza J. Horton of
Natick.
173. Lorenzo Parker, b. May 8, 1S13 ; m. Mary E, Herrick of
Portland, Me.
174. Eliza Jane Parker, b. June 6, 1S17 ; m. David Washburn
of Natick.
Henry E. Parker, b. in Hopkinton, May 7, 1820; d. young.
67. Sally Parker (Philemon,^ Jonas,^ Andrew,'^ John^^
Hananiah^^ Thomas^ ), dau. of Philemon and Suzan (Stone)
Parker, b. July i, 1785. The records of Princeton, Mass.,
testify that the intention of marriage between Scammel Burt
of Newton and Sally Parker of Princeton was entered May 3,
1807. He was b. in Westmoreland, N. H., May 3, 1782.
They removed to Peru, Vt., where he was a farmer and where
he d. Oct. 27, 1857, aged 75. She d. in Peru, Vt., Jan. 14,
1877, aged 92.
All the children were b. in Peru, Vt. :
1. Joseph P. Burt, b. in Westmoreland, N. H,, Nov. 10, 1S07 ;
d. unm.
2. Adline Burt, b. in Peru, Vt., Nov. 10, 1808; d. Nov. 6,
1848; m. in Peru, Vt., Jan. i, 1834, Capt. Cyrus Bailey,
Jr., b. Sept. 23, 1804, son of Cyrus and Chloe (Burton)
Bailey. He d. March 3, 1885. Children :
I. Warren C. Bailey, b. in Andover, Vt., June 10, 183!; ;
m.
11. Augusta A. Bailey, b. in Andover, Vt., Aug. 14,
1836 ; d. July II, 1841.
III. Calista a. Bailey, b. Dec. 6, 1840 ; m. Orien Hutchins.
3. Gratia M.Burt, b. Aug. 7, 1810; m. William Strong. Child:
I. Sylvester Strong.
I72
PARKER GENEALOGY.
RoDOLPHUS Burt, b. July 6, 1812; m. Elizabeth Hitchcock.
He is deceased. She resides in East Saginaw, Mich. Their
dau. was :
I. Susan Hitchcock Burt ; m. Edward Hayes. They
reside in Bridgeport, Mich.
Joshua Burt, b. April 5, 1814; m. in Cambridgeport, Mass.,
Feb. 21, 1849, Rebecca Lakin, b. in Charlotte, Me., Dec. 8,
1823. He was a farmer. They lived in Peru, Vt. He d. in
Bridgeport, Mich., Feb. 21, 1867. His wife survives him.
All the children were b. in Peru, Vt. :
1. Chelcius Otis Burt, b. Dec. 30, 1850; d. March 21,
1871.
II. Maria Clina Burt, b. Sept. 9, 1851 ; m. Joseph Jones,
river captain. They reside in West Saginaw, Mich.
Their children are :
1. Alta Virginia Jones, b. June 13, 1875.
2. Herbert Willard Jones, b. July 7, 1882.
3. Pearl Nida Jones, b. July 20, 1887.
III. Sarah Adaline Burt, b. Aug. 30, 1852 ; m. Peter H.
Nichols. Child :
I. Roy Leon Nichols, b. in East Saginaw, Mich., March 21, 1887.
IV. Marcus Luther Burt, b. July 6, 1854 ' "^- lo'^^ Becker
of Bridgeport, Mich. They have six children. They
are farmers at Bridgeport. They were all b. in Bridge-
port :
1. Evaline Ellen Burt, b. Dec. 20, 1876.
2. Marcus Luthur Burt, b. Sept. 22, 1878.
3. Alice Mabel Burt, b. Feb. 28, 1881.
4. Chelcius Otis Burt, b. March 12, 1883.
5. Glynn Malcom Burt, b. Nov. 23, 1885.
6. Ward B. Burt, b. Jan. 15, 1888.
V. Charles Henry Burt, b. July 6, 1856; m. Lizzie
Hacket. He d. in Jackson, Mich., March 6, 1883.
Child :
I. Clarence Burt, b. Jan., 1883 ; d. May 10, 1883, aged 4 months.
VI. Anna Rebecca Burt ; m. Frank E. Richards, con-
ductor on the Michigan Central R. R. They reside in
Grainling, Mich. Children :
1. Edwin Frank Burt, b. in Detroit, Mich., Dec. 13, 1876.
2. Charles Henry Burt, b. in Detroit, Aug. 8, 1879.
3. Harrie Madison Burt, b. in West Bay City, Mich., Sept. 7,
VII. WiLLARD Elmer Burt, b. Sept. i, 1864.
East Saginaw, Mich.
Resides
PARKER GENEALOGY. • I 73
VIII. Mary Ellen Burt ; d. April 9, 1871.
6. Justin Burt, b. May 7, 1816; m. in Goshen, Vt., Feb. 6,
184s, Ntincy White, dau. of Jesse and Nancy White. He d.
May 14, 1891, aged 75. He was a farmer. He lived upon
the old Burt homestead in Peru. All the children were b. in
Andover, Vt. :
I. Luther J. Burt, b. Aug. 18, 1847; ^- "^ Andover,
Vt., Sept. 12, 1854.
II. DoRiNDA V. Burt, b. Oct. 30, 1849. Resides in Peru,
Vt.
III. Elwin Burt, b. May 17, 1851 ; d. in Andover, Vt.,
June 8, 1852.
IV. Susie E. Burt, b. Feb. 2, 1857 5 m. Newton Lakin.
Resides in Peru, Vt.
V. Elwin L. Burt, b. June 8, 1864 ; m. Nellie Wyman.
7. Sarah Burt, b. March 20, 181 8.
8. Mary Ann Burt, b. Sept. 18, 1819; d. March 23, 1827.
9. Ezra B. Burt, b. Dec. 22, 1821 ; m. Feb. 6, 1855, Clarissa,
b. in Salisbury, Vt., Oct. 27, 1827, dau. of Henry and
Abigail Alexander. He is a farmer of Salisbury, Vt. He
is also Overseer of the Poor. Children :
I. Augustus E. Burt, b. Sept. 26, 1854.
II. Ellen A. Burt, b. Dec. 2, 1856.
III. Hatty Burt, b. Aug. 6, 1865.
IV. Goshen M. Burt.
10. Jonathan Burt, b. Nov. 22, 1823 ; d. Sept. 13, 1826.
68. Nancy Parker (Philemon,^ Jonas, ^Andrew,'' John,^
Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Philemon and Susan (Stone?)
Parker, b. Sept. 28, 1786; m. Timothy Wyman.
Their children were :
1. Emory Thomas Wyman, b. July 28, 1803 ; m. Martha Davis.
2. Emeline Wyman, b. Sept. 30, 1807 ; m. Heman Wright.
3. Jonas Wyman, b. Aug. 6, 181 2 ; d. in infancy.
4. SuzAN Ann Wyman, b. Nov. 4, 1814; m. Ebenezer Cary of
Waltham.
5. Carlton Wyman, b. March 29, 1S17.
6. Joseph Parker Wyman, b. in Swanzey, N. H., Aug. 4, 1818 ;
m. Eunice L. Keith, b. Oct. 8, 1817, dau. of Samuel of
Springfield, Vt. She d. in Springfield, Vt., May 27, 1885,
ly^ PARKER GENEALOGY.
aged d*] years. He resides in North Springfield, Vt,, is a
carpenter and farmer. Children :
I. Frederick A. Wyman, b. July 22, 1847 ; d. May 29,
1863.
II. Charles E. Wyman, b. Sept. 9, 1848. Resides in
Cavendish, Vt. He is section master on C. V. R. R.
He m. Margaret Morgan and has one son.
III. Royal E. Wyman, b. June 19, 1851. Resides in Per-
kinsville, Vt. He m. Annie Pike of Weathersfield,
Vt., and has two sons and three daughters.
IV. George K. Wyman, b. March 22, 1856; m. Eliza J.
Rumrill of Springfield, Vt. He is a farmer and has*
one dau.
V. Lizzie C. Wyman, b. Aug. 22, 1857; d. Sept. 12, 1863.
VI. James L. Wyman, b. Oct. 22, 1859; "^- Lottie I.
Morgan of Springfield, Vt., and has one dau.
7. Calvin Wyman, b. Oct. 22, 1820; m. Millie Reed 1
of Chester, Vt. i t, .
8. Luther Wyman, b. Oct. 22, 1820; m. Elizabeth
Grant of Hardwick, Mass. J
9. John Densmore Wyman, b. Aug. 20, 1822 ; m. Susan Foster
of Rutland, Vt.
69. Luther Parker (Philemon,^ Jonas, ^ Andrew,'^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Philemon and Susan
(Stone) Parker, was b. (twin with Calvin), April 7, 1796;*
m. Jan. i, 1822, Dolly Byam of Templeton, b. July 6, 1804,
d. March 26, 1870. They settled in Chester, Vt., where he
was a farmer. He d. in Chester, Oct. 3, 1840, aged 44 years.
All the children were b. in Chester :
George F. Parker, b. Dec. 31, 1822 ; d. Sept. 2, 1823.
Martha A. Parker, b. Dec. 10, 1S24; m. May 28, 1845, Oscar
W. Spalding, b. in Cavendish, Vt., Nov. 7, 1822. She d. March
18, 1880, leaving no issue.
175. Susan M. Parker, b. March 10, 1826 ; m. Horace Thomp-
son in Chester.
176. LucixDA A. Parker, b. June 3, 1827 ; m. Josiah Ayers of
Windham, Vt.
*The records of Princeton show the births of Luther and Calvin. How-
ever, family tradition say that they were b. in Billerica, Mass. It may be
that the Princeton record was only a transfer.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 75
Luther Parker, b. March i, 1829; d. June 30, 1833.
George Parker, b. Nov. 7, 1830; m. Oct. 19, 1854, Augusta A.
Morrison, b. in Chester, Vt., March 11, 1835. He is a farmer
and resides in Chester. No issue.
177. Sarah S. Parker, b. June 21, 1840; m. Alvin VV. Davis.
70. Calvin Parker (Philemon,^ Jonas,^ Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Philemon and Susan
(Stone) Parker (twin to Luther;, was b. April 7, 1796.
When ten years of age he went to live with his father's
cousin, Dea. Ebenezer Parker of Princeton, where he re-
mained as one of the family for many years. Then he
removed to Chester, Vt., where his brothers had already
settled. He was known for his honest, upright integrity and
frugality, and his keenness of perception. He and Luther
looked so near alike that many could not tell them apart.
They were very good looking men. In Chester the brothers
lived within two miles of each other, all being good livers, but
not wealthy. They were all industrious farmers, but none
of them professed Christianity. He m. at age of 31, May 8,
1827, Seba, dau. of Silas and Olive (Holbrook) Cutler, b.
June 19, 1806, d. July 12, 1879. ^^ ^- Sept. 4, 1881, aged
85.
Their children were :
178. Marv Ann Parker, b. July 21, 1828 ; m. Silas F. Baldwin.
179. Olive A. Parker, b. Nov. 5, 1829; m. Silas J. Smith.
William A. Parker, b. June 16, 1832 ; d. Aug. 9, 1833.
180. Fannie E. Parker, b. April 18, 1835 ; m. Calvin W. Bates.
71. John Parker ( Philcnwn,'^' yonas^^ Andrew.,^ yo/iJi,i
//auania/i,^ T/wmas'J, son of Philemon and Susan (Stone)
Parker, was b. in Princeton, June 11, 1798: m. Ellen John-
son, b. Feb. 14, 1802, d. Feb. 17, 1865, dau. of Asa and
Ellen Hall Johnson. The \' settled in Chester, Vt. He was
a farmer. He d. in Chester, Feb. 6, 1874.
Their children were :
181. James Parker, b. in Chester, Dec. 14, 1825 ; m. Sophia
Hopkins.
Susan Parker, b. in Chester, June 14, 1831 ; d. March 14, 1872.
176 PARKER GENEALOGY.
72. Lucinda Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,^ 'John^^
Hanatiiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston ; m. July 23, 1793, Nathaniel
Bangs of Barre. He was a neighbor of Artemas Parker of
that town. They continued to live upon their farm in Barre
until 1795, when they sold out to Amos Parker and removed
to Putney, Vt. She d. Feb. 2, 1803, leaving these children:
1. Amos Parker Bangs, b. Dec. 25, 1794; m. and removed to
Cambridge, Vt. He had two children, who are now Mrs.
Elvira Gilmore of Hyde Park, Vt., and Nathaniel Bangs of
Hardwick, Vt.
2. Azariah Bangs, b. Dec. 7, 1797 ; m. and settled in Bakersfield,
Vt., and has five -children living:
Mrs. Louisa Gaugd, of East Evans, N. Y.
Mrs. Marietta Cableigh, of East Evans, N. Y.
Mrs. Adaline Holbrook, of Elmore, Vt.
Wm. Henry H. Bangs, of Elmore, Vt., who has three
children.
Mrs. Orilla M. Graves, of Springfield, Mass.
3. Lysander Bangs, b. Jan. 15, and d. Jan. 22, 1S03.
73. Joseph Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,'^ yokn,i
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston (1772?) ; m. Feb. 21, 1791,
Relief Earle of Paxton, b. Sept. 12, 1778, dau. of Lt. Oliver
and Mary (Earle) Earle of Paxton. This Oliver Earle's line
was William, 5 William, + Ralph ,3 William, ^ Ralph,' the emi-
grant ancestor. He was the common ancestor of a very large
number of descendants of this illustrious name. He was a
Rhode Island settler; an intelligent and prominent man.
Oliver Earle lived in Paxton in the house still standing just
north of the old William Earle or Joseph Penniman place.
Oliver was a private in the company of minute men, who
under the command of Capt. Phineas Moore " marched on the
alarm, the 19th of April, 1775, from Paxton to Cambridge."
He was afterwards lieutenant.
Joseph and Relief Parker removed about 1804 to Bakers-
field, Vt. He accompanied his brother Amory and family, to
whence their uncle Joseph Baker, Esq., awaited them. It is
related on page 102 how Esquire Baker founded the town of
PARKER GENEALOGY. I77
Bakersfield, and how his settlement there was quickly fol-
lowed by his son-in-law Elisha Parker and Elisha's brothers
Joseph and Amory.
The wife. Relief (Earle) Parker, d. in Bakersfield, June 2,
1854. He was a farmer. He was a resident of Bakersfield
until his death, which occurred Jan. i, 1861.
Their children were :
182. Amos Earle Parker, b. Feb. 26, 1802 ; m. Matilda Con-
verse of Bakersfield.
183. Mary Robinson Parker, b. Jan. 5, 1S04; ^^- Matthew
Gray of Bakersfield.
184. Joseph Sumner Parker, b. Oct. 27. 1S06 : m. Hall.
Sophia Bigelow Parker, b. April 11. 1808; m. Dorastus Wright.
They left no issue.
185. Euridicia E. Parker, b. April 25, 181 1; m. Michael
French of Barre, Vt.
186. Frederick Appleton Parker, b. June 14, iSr3; m.
Caroline Maxson of Squankum. N. J.
187. Betsey Lorinda Parker, b. Dec. 10, 1S18; m. Oliver F.
Stebbins of Bakersfield, Vt.
74. Sylvester Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,* yo/in,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, May 31, 1774; removed to
Vermont, and m. Feb. 6, 1800, Alice Davis, b. in Athens, Vt.,
June 7, 1778. They soon settled in Westminster, Vt., where
they passed 20 years and where their children were born.
Removing from Westminster the family settled in Lyndon,
Vt., then in Derby, Vt., and finally in Westfield, Vt. She d.
in Westfield, Aug. 28, 1838, aged 60 years, 2 months and 21
days. He d. at Troy, Vt., Dec. 8, 1843, at the age of 69
years, 6 months and 8 days.
Their children were :
188. Amos Parker, b. Dec. 29, 1800; m. Lorinda Fairbanks.
189. Joel D. Parker, b. Oct. 9, 1802 ; m. Lucy Wyman of
Barnstead, P. Q.
HoLLis Parker, b. March 9, 1806; d. Dec. 10, 1827.
190. Alice Parker, b. June 22, 1808; m. Henry Coburn.
191. Amory Parker, b. April 15, iSii ; ni. Susan Gilman of
Lyndon, Vt.
12
178 PARKER GENEALOGY.
192. Lucy Parker, b. May 24, 1813 ; m. John Alexander.
193. Rhoena Parker, b. July 24, 1815 ; m. Silas Howe.
Rhuhamah Parker, b. July 5, 1817 ; m. Alexander Coburn. They
are both deceased and left no issue.
194. Samuel W. Parker, b. Dec. 27, 1820; m. Harriett Field
of Bakersfield, Vt.
75. Patty Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andreiu,^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston ; m. Felton and re-
moved to Vermont.
They had one son :
I. Horatio Felton.
76. Dana Robinson Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,'^
John^^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), son of Amos and Lucy (Rob
inson) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Nov. 4, 1781 : m.
Nov. 19, 1806, Sarah, dau. of John and Sarah Davis Williams
of Hubbardston. He succeeded to the homestead, where, in
the west part of the town, he lived nearly the whole of his life.
He was well educated, thoughtful and religiously inclined ; a
diligent student of the Bible, often indulging in theological
discussions with zest ; a loyal citizen and a democrat, though
not a politician. He held no important public office, but was
called upon to settle minor difficulties, and his opinion was
highly regarded by all. He was a good singer and extremely
fond of sacred music. His occupation was that of a farmer
and he paid considerable attention to the propagation of fruit.
The well known " Nonesuch" apple originated upon his farm.
An apple tree was discovered by him — wild — in a swamp
down in Newton. People liked the flavor. He secured grafts
and started them on a tree in Conest's Valley, Hubbardston,
and from this tree was the beginning of the cultivated apple.
He thus introduced the popular "Hubbardston Nonesuch."
This original tree looked well for over 50 years. He lived
until nearly 82 years of age, a useful and respected citizen.
Their children were :
195. Lucinda B. Parker, b. March 9, 1807 ; m. Eli Grey.
196. Sarah Davis Parker, b. June 7. 1808; m. Oliver Hale.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I^Q
John Williams Parker, b. March 5, 1810; m. Nancy F. Barr.
197. Elvira Parker, b. Nov. 28, iSii ; m. Setli P. Heywood.
Jonas Parker, b. Oct. 30, 1813 ; m. Susan Ann Decker of Staten
Island, N. Y.
198. Sophronia Parker, b. Nov. 25, 1S15 ; m. Henry Humphrey.
Lucy Robinson Parker, b. Nov. 13, 1817; m. Asa S. Hodge of
Athol. They settled in Hubbardston, where she has since deceased.
He survives her.
Dennison Robinson Parker, b. Aug. 15, 1819; m. Mary A.
Vroome of Staten Island. N. Y.
199. Mary Parker, b. July 11, 1821 ; m. George Raymond.
200. Amos Parker, b. Feb. 12, 1823 ; m. Lucy Shepherd.
201. Martha Maria Parker, b. July 9, 182^; m. Lysander
Batchelder.
Amory Parker, b. Aug. 2, 1828. Went to California in 1852 by
way of Cape Horn, was on the ill-fated steamer Independence^ of
whose 800 passengers 240 lost their lives. He staid several years
but drifted home again. He lives at Hubbardston, unm.
George Leroy Parker, b. June 12, 1830; d. Aug. i, 1831.
202. Susan Elizabeth Parker, b. April 9, 1833 5 '^i- (0 David
Heywood, (2) Lysander Batchelder.
77. Amory Parker (Amos,^ A^nos,^ Andrew,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Dec. 8, 1783; m. Lydia
Parker, his cousin, who was b. March 8, 1784, dau. of Major
Elisha Parker. They removed to Bakersfield, Vt., where
some of his brothers, sisters and nephews were already settled.
He d. April 5, 1823, at the age of 40. He was well esteemed,
and his early death, coming in the midst of strength and use-
fulness, was deeply lamented. She d. May 15, 1858, aged 74.
Their children were :
Lucy Robinson Parker, b. Oct. iS, 180S ; unm. Removed with
her sisters to Lowell.
203. Amos Andrew Parker, b. Oct. 28, 1814; m. (i) Cynthia
Pratt of Reading, Vt.
Lydia Maria Parker, b. Dec. 14, 1S17; removed to Lowell and
d. Nov. 16, 1864, unm.
204. Elisha Sylvester Parker, b. Nov. 11, 1819; m. (i)
Barnes.
Sally A. Parker, b. June 19, 1823 ; removed to Lowell ; d. Sept.
17, 1841, unm.
l8o PARKER GENEALOGY.
78. Lucy Parker (Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,'< John,^
Hanaiiiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Amos and Lucy (Robinson)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston ; she m. Jan. 12, 1812, Silas
Richardson, and lived in Sterling. She d. July 4, 1828, aged
40. He d. Jan. 24, 1833, aged 51.
Their children were :
1. Silas Richardson, who m.
2. Joshua Richardson, who m., removed to N. Y. and had chil-
dren.
3. Reuben Richardson, who m.
4. Mary Richardson, who was unm.
5. Nahum Richardson, who lives single.
6. Amaranca Richardson, who m.
79. Joel Parker ( Isaac, ^ Amos,^ A?idrew,'^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ T/wmas^ ), son of Isaac and Margery (Maynard)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Sept. 16, 1770; m. (i)
Hannah Bond of Westborough, one of eleven children, b. May
3, 1776 ; d. Aug. 10, 1816. He m. (2) Feb. 6, 1817, Susannah
Fay, b. June 14, 1779; d. July 24, 1858. They lived in
Westborough. He was a very worthy and widely respected
citizen. He was a miller, a deacon of the Church, and a
moderator of the town meetings. He d. in Westborough,
Nov. 6, 1853, aged 83.
Their children were :
Anna Osborne Parker, b. Jan. i, 1797; d. Jan. 29, 1828.
205. Betsey Curwen Parker, b. Jan. 20, 1799; m. Elmer
Brigham.
206. Hannah Sophia Parker, b. April 5, 1801 ; m. Orestes
Forbush.
207. AcHSAH Forbes Parker, b. Sept. 2, 1803 ; m. Solomon T.
Fay.
208. Elmina Augusta Parker, b. Nov. 16, 1806; m. Thomas
H. Fayerweather.
Joel Lloyd Parker, b. March 21, 1809; d. Nov. 26, 1S26.
209. Harriet Newell Parker, b. Aug, 16, 1815 ; m. Mendal
G. Fosgate.
80. Gardiner Parker (Isaac,^ Amos,'= AndrezaJ John^^
Hananiah,- Thomas^), son of Isaac and Margery (Maynard)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, March 14, 1772 ; m. Asenath
PARKER GENEALOGY. l8l
Sherman. He lived at different times in Westborough, Grafton
and Northborough. He earned a local reputation as an in-
ventor and manufacturer of clocks. For Westborough and
Shrewsbury he made the town clocks which are still in use.
He ended his life Feb. i6, 1816. His widow Asenath sur-
vived him.
He left one son :
210. Perley Parker ; m. Betsey Mellen of Westborough.
81. Dea, Otis Parker (Isaac,^ Amos,^ Andrew,'^ 'John^^
Hananiah,^ Thomas'^), son of Isaac and Margery (Maynard)
Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, April i, 1774; m. about
1795, Polly Ann, b. Dec. 27, 1771, dau. of Daniel and Sarah
Nourse of Westborough. They removed in 1804 to Hub-
bardston, where cousins were then living, and settled. She
d. April 30, 1850, aged 78. He was a farmer; d. Feb. 27,
1855, thus living to the ripe old age of 82. He lived long
and well to enjoy the harvest of the good seed which he had
sown. Piety and public spirit were his guides.
Early in life Mr. Parker connected himself with the Church.
In this he took an active interest, and was soon made deacon,
by which title of respect he was ever afterward known. He
was strong in his denunciation of intemperance. It was for
such spirit of brotherly love which always flowed sponta-
neously from him that his associates learned to love him.
His loving disposition and public spirit were a great blessing
to the community, for by them he produced peace and good
will with all. He was eminently a peacemaker ; healed
wounds between minister and parish, which not only testifies
to his gift of ready speech, but his sound sense and judgment.
His devout religious views were placed upon a sensible founda-
tion. In the history of his town a description of much length
is given of the influence which he held in the town on relig-
ious matters.
The following testimonial appeared at the time of his decease
in a local paper of the town :
"All of us have known Dea. Otis Parker and can think of him
only with respect and aHection.
'Great not like Caesar stained with blood,
But only great in doing good.'
l82 PARKER GENKALOGY.
"The friends of the temperance cause feel that they have lost a
consistent advocate. For many years his whole influence has been
on the side of temperance, and notwithstanding he had passed the
prime of life and retired in a measure from its active duties, his pen
has helped to fill our paper and his name has been given to aid and
encourage the Ladies' Temperance Circle. Let us therefore cherish
his memory and strive to imitate his example. May the mantle of
his piety rest upon us, and may we like him endeavor to secure that
' Pearl of great price,' possessing which we shall be enabled to cast
a good influence on others, and be prepared for a better world when
time with us shall be no more."
Their children were :
Isaac Parker, b. in Westborough, Sept. 3, 1797; d. in Hubbards-
ton. May 8, 1829, unm.
211. Daniel Parker, b. in Westborough, March 23, 1799; m.
Polly White of Phillipston.
Lucy Parker, b. in Westborough, July 15, 1801 ; d. in Hubbards-
ton, Nov. 19, 1822, unm.
212. Mary Nourse Parker, b. in Westborough, Aug. 11, 1803 ;
m. Alvin Waite of Hubbardston.
213. Otis Parker, b. in Hubbardston, Aug. 16, 1806 ; m. Eunice
Allen.
Samuel Austin Parker, b. in Hubbardston, Oct. 20, 1810; m.
Nov. 8, 1832, Ruth Aim Williams of Hubbardston. He d. in
Hartford, Conn., Aug. 5, 1852, leaving no issue. She afterward
m. Willard Cook of Chicago, 111., and there d.
82. Capt. Jabez M. Parker ( Isaac, ^ Amos, ^ Andrew,^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Isaac and Margery
(Maynard) Parker, was b. in Princeton, Aug. 9, 1776; m.
in Framingham, April 15, 1798, Nancy Patterson, b. in
Framingham, Feb. 18, 1771, dau. of David and Beulah
(Clark) Patterson of that town. She was seventh in a family
of fifteen children. The father, David, was a leading man in
Framingham during the Revolutionary war. The family in
1783 removed to Boylston, but returned in 1799. The Patter-
son family of 15 made the good record of 14 who lived to be
married, while the one died when an infant. David Patterson
was great-grandson of the first of the Hne in America, James
Patterson, who was one of the adherents of Charles II. James
was in the Scotdsh army which was defeated in the battle of
PARKER GENEALOGY. 183
Worcester by Cromwell, and he was transported to New
England to be disposed by a sale for a term of years to defray
expenses; arrived in Boston, May, 1652. In 1658 he settled
in Billerica, where he died 1701.
Jabez Parker and wife removed to Phillipston, then called
"Gerry," and where some of his posterity still reside. His
location in Phillipston was probably caused by the fact that his
uncle. Major Elisha Parker, was then residing there, in that
part now known as "Golden Village." Jabez Parker bought
land three miles distant in the north part of the town, on the
ridge of land running west from Church Hill. It was a large
farm, containing all kinds of land. The elevation commanded
a view north and south. He was a member of the Church of
Phillipston. In the military company he soon rose to rank.
He was appointed Ensign in 181 1 by Hon. Elbridge Gerry,
Governor of Mass. In 1813 followed his promotion to Lieu-
tenant, and in 1816 to the Captaincy of a company of infantry,
given by his Excellency Caleb Strong.
Their children were :
214. Nancy Patterson Parker, b. May 2, 1799; m. James
Wakefield of Marlborough, N. H.
215. Jabez M. Parker, b. Nov. 12, 1800; m. Azubah P. Powers
of Phillipston.
216. Enoch Adams Parker, b. Jan. 14, 1802 ; m. Rebecca Gibbs.
217. Joel Dodge Parker, b. Aug. 17, 1S04; m. Hannah Wood,
native of Warwick.
218. Emily S. Parker, b. April 13, 1806; m. Isaiah White.
219. Beulah H. C. Parker, b. April 16, 1808 ; m. Walter Clapp.
220. TuLLEY Tollotson Parker, b. March 28, 1810 ; m. Arathusa
Goddard.
221. James Maynard L. Parker, b. Sept. 3, 1812; m. Polly
♦ Kidder.
84. David Parker ( Isaac, '^ Amos,^ Andrciv,^ Johii,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Isaac and Margery (Maynard)
Parker, was b. in Westborough, May i, 1785; m. Jan. 29,
1808, Betsey Eager of Northborough, b. June 21, 1789, d. in
Barre, Feb. 22, 1869. They removed about 1810 to J3arre,
where he d. Aug. 10, 1832, aged 54 years.
184 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
Martha Elizabeth Parker, b. in Northborough, Feb. 28, 1S09;
d. in Bane, Oct. 15, 1841.
A son, unnamed, b. and d. Dec. 14, 1810.
Francis Eager Parker, b. in Barre, June 1 1, and d. Oct. 8, 181 2,
in Westborough.
Andrew Parker, b. Sept. 21, 1813 ; d. April 4, 1881, in Cleve-
land, O., unm.
Mary Louisa Parker, b. in Northborough, Sept. 29, 1815 ; m.
Dec. 29, 1846, John H. Knight of Worcester. Their cliildren d.
young. She d. in Worcester, Jan. 15, 1853, ^"*^ '^^ ^^- March
12, 1854.
David Parker, Jr., b. in Barre, June 24, 1817; m. in Fitchburg,
July 22, 1848, Martha A. Deputron. He d. Oct. 19, 1855 ! ^'^^ <^'
March 15, 1855. Their only child was Edgar D. Parker, who d.
Dec. 20, 1852, aged 14 months.
222. Harriet Ann Parker, b. May 29, 1819 ; m. Nov. 16, 1841,
John Walker of Holden.
223. Persis Eager Parker, b. May 8, 1821 ; m. June 13, 1843,
Samuel N. Howe of Holden.
224. Lucy Parker, b. Sept. 2, 1823 ; m. April 3, 1849, Lysander
Crawford of Oakham.
Isaac Davis Parker, b. May 20, 1825 ; d. in Barre, April 27, 1841.
Sarah Fairbanks Parker, b. July 31, 1827, in Barre; d. Jan. 6,
1891, aged 63.
Cecilia Augusta Parker, b. June 10, 1830; d. in Barre, Jan. 9,
1S54.
85. Major Lewis Parker (Isaac,^ Amos,^ Andrczv,"^
John^i HcDianiah,'^ Thomas^), the last child and son of Isaac
and Margery (Maynard) Parker, was b. in Westborough,
March i, 1787. His father d. when he was five, and his
mother when nine. He first lived with his brother Gardiner
Parker. After passing his boyhood upon his father's farm,
he, still a youth, bound himself to learn the carpenter's trade.
This was in Lancaster, and after serving his time he married
at the age of 19. On the Sterling records we find: "Mr.
Lewis Parker of Lancaster and Miss Elizabeth Seaver of Sterl-
ing were m. in Sterling, Nov. 30, 1806." They settled in the
centre of the town. He was a successful builder and overseer
of work on houses. He was also acquainted with the hat
trade, at which business he devoted himself a part of the time.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 185
He was stout in stature and a very good-looking man. He
was sexton, but not a member of the Sterling Church. He
favored the Universalist belief, which at his time was in its
infancy. He was in the War of 181 2. Enlisting as a private
all went well in the company until they sighted the British
troops, upon which their captain fled. The company there-
upon chose Lewis Parker for their captain and placed him at
their head. He was soon promoted to major, the title by
which he was afterwards widely known. It seems that he,
like some of his ancestors, was fearless, and often said that he
would face the enemy if he dropped before them. He was
offered the rank of major-general, which responsible position
and rank of honor he was ready to accept, but his wife urged
him to decline. Their family was already large and she
valued his presence at home as a good influence for the chil-
dren. He spoke of the honor which might thus be conferred
upon him and family, but she replied, "What is honor to
bringing up properly this large family of children?" Other
and doubtless proper precautions could have been taken, but
as they were all attached to their home he graciously yielded.
He was a very hospitable man, having a large circle of friends,
and his house was constantly sheltering or he and family
entertaining a part of them, Mrs. Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker
was a remarkable lady, of conscientious belief and a member
of the Church. Mr. Parker highly appreciated his brothers
and sisters and loved to pay tributes to their memory. He
reverenced his sister Mrs. Green, and never ceased lamenting
over the untimely decease of his brother Gardiner. He d. in
Sterling, July i, 1833, aged 46, and she d. in West Boylston,
at her daughter's farm, Nov. 5, 1859, aged 76 years, 6
months.
Their children were :
225. Caleb Alexander Parker, b. Dec. 34, 1806.
226. Abigail Sawyer Parker, b. Oct. 15, 1S09; m. Jan. 24,
1S30, Joshua Buxton of Lowell.
Evelina Maynard Parker, b. Nov. 23, 181 1 ; d. June 8, 1833, at
Sterling.
227. Elizabeth Margaret Parker, b. Sept. 24, 1813; m.
April zi, 1836, Gilbert H. Howe of Sterling.
l86 PARKER GENEALOGY.
228. Sarah Angeline Parker, b. Aug. 13, 1815 ; m. in Sterl-
ing, Nov. 10, 1836, John Phelps of West Boylston.
229. Lewis Livingstone Parker, b. Jan. 7, 181 7. When
quite young, he joined his brother Caleb A. Parker at Jackson,
Miss., where he met with an accident, from which he d. on the
evening of the 23d of Oct., 1841, " from the effects of a fall which
he received in the morning from the giving away of some scaffold-
ing, Mr. Lewis L. Parker of Sterling, Mass., aged 34 yrs. 9 mos.
The deceased has long been known to our community, and his death
is deeply lamented by all who knew him. His amiability and
urbanity of manners, his natural warmth of feeling and correctness
of deportment in all his dealings with his fellow-men endeared
him to a numerous circle of friends, who will long cherish his
memory and mourn his untimely dissolution. When a friend is
stricken down in a moment — in the full bloom of health and young
— while the heart is yet beating high with brilliant anticipations of
the future, relatives and friends have cause indeed to mourn." He
was buried in Jackson, Miss.
230. HoLLis Gardner Parker, b. Sept. 30, 1S18; m. Laura
Goodrich of Hartford, Ct.
Mary Anne Capen Parker, b. March 31, 1820; d. in Pittsfield,
March 5, 1834, unm.
Harrison Gray Otis Parker, b. Aug. 18, 1821 ; d. in Jackson,
Miss., unm.
Thomas Sawyer Parker, b. April 15, 1823.
Lucy Parker, b. March 4, 1825.
86. Dr. Amos Parker (HolUs,^ Amos,^ Andrew, '<
yohn,^ Hanaiiiah,^ Thomas^), son of Hollis and Louisa
(Bragg) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Oct. 17, 1777 ; m.
Elizabeth Whitney, dau. of the minister at Bolton. He suc-
ceeded to his father's homestead in Shrewsbury, living thereon
during the lifetime of his parents, furnishing them a comforta-
ble abode in their old age. He was known by the people of
Shrewsbury as somewhat eccentric, for instance, it is said that
he buried his small riches in bags around his house and farm
for safe keeping and people are still in watch for "Dr.
Parker's money bags." He finally removed to Bolton,
where in the centre of the town his house still stands
as he put it, and his old furniture, maps, books and pictures
are as they were in his day. In Bolton he became a popular
PARKER GENEALOGY. 1 87
physician. Dr. Parker was a man of mind. He was well
read and acquired a substantial education. He possessed
a remarkably strong character, he was known as one who
acted upon his own best views and feared not ; was a good
speaker and was one of the tirst to join the temperance move-
ment, in which he took an active part. Dr. Parker was post-
master at Bolton for many years. At one time he was proba-
bly the oldest postmaster in the commonwealth.
Their children were :
Elizabeth Lydia B. Parker, b. July 10, 1809; d. April r, 18S2,
mim.
Louisa Jane Parker, b. Jan. 10, 1812; resides in Bolton, unm.
She occupies the old Dr. Parker home located in the town centre.
She preserves its ancient appearance, together with the ancient
furniture, pictures and family treasures as they appeared in her
childhood, when her father was living, making the homestead
seem, as the visitor enters, as if he had stepped back into the iSth
century.
87. ■ Mary Jennison Parker (Hollis,^ Amos,^ Andrezu,'^
yo/ui,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Hollis and Louisa
(Bragg) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, July 31, 1780; m.
(i) in Shrewsbury, Jan. i, 1803, Josiah Harrington, b. in
Worcester, Jan. 6, 1780, who came to Shrewsbury from
Worcester when a lad and grew up in the family of John
Rice, Sr. They had Josiah Harrington, Jr., b. in Hubbards-
ton, Sept. 15, 1803. Josiah Harrington, the father, d. in
Hubbardston, Oct. 7, 1803. The son m. Sylvia Smith of
Lancaster, N. H. ; had one son, Edward L. Harrington, b.
in Lancaster, Oct. i, 1836, and she d. there in 1838.
Edward L. served in the Union army during the Civil war.
Both he and liis father are now deceased.
Mrs. Mary (Parker) Harrington m. (2) in Shrewsbury,
April 10, 1805, Asahel, b. Feb. 6, 1775, son of Silas and
Priscilla (Plympton) Allen. He was a cooper and farmer in
Shrewsbury, where they lived up to about 1826, when the
family removed to Lancaster, N. H., and where she d. Feb.
28, 1862. He d. in Berlin, Wis., Oct. 13, 1866, at the home
of his son Waldo.
l88 PARKER GENEALOGY.
All the children were b. in Shrewsbury :
1. AsAHEL Plympton Allen, b. May 4, 1806 ; m. Rebecca Bacon
Haven of Boston; resided in Lancaster, N. H., where he
owned a farm ; he d. June 14, 1S84. They had ten children :
]. Frederick M. Allen, b. in Boston, 1832 ; d. Sept. 5,
1880.
n. Edward P. Allex, b. in Worcester, 1833 ; resides in
Brookline.
in. Helen R. Allen, b. in Lancaster, N. H., 1835 ; m.
Daniel Sweet of Manchester, N. H.
IV. Sarah E. Allen, b. in Lancaster, N. H., 1837; m.
Joseph Cutting.
V. Mary A. Allen, b. in Lancaster, N. H., 1840; m.
Monroe Green of Shelburne, N. H.
VI. William H. Allen, b. 1842; d. in Washington, D. C,
Feb. 8, 1863.
VII. George L. Allen, b. 1844 ; resides in Wisconsin.
VIII. Maria E. Allen, b. 1846; d. March iS, 1863.
IX. Abbie a. Allen, b. 1850; m. Alonzo Earle.
X. Alice L. Allen, b. 1853 ; m. D. W. Scribner of Port-
land, Me.
2. Lucy Hemenway Allen, b. Feb. 15, 1809; d. in Lancaster,
N. H., April 18, 1842.
3. Daniel Waldo Allen, b. May 17, i8ii ; he studied medicine,
but early in life went west and spent most of his life upon a
farm. By wife Marietta he had the following children :
I. Henry Clay Allen, b. March 5, 1848.
II. Celestia Elizabeth Allen, b. July 10. 1S50; m. Rev.
D. W^. Day of Cleveland, O., and has had four children.
III. Mary Maria Allen, b. Oct. 3, 185 1.
He m. (2) Lellice Boyle, by whom Lucy C. Allen was b.
Sept. 7, 1856.
4. Elizabeth Waldo Allen, b. Aug. 17, 1813 ; d. in Cleveland, O.
88. Silance Pa.rkev (Hollis,^ Amos, ^ Afidreiv,^ Jo/in,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Hollis and Louisa (Bragg)
Parker, was b. Oct. 17, 1786; m. Oct. 11, 1811, James Hall
of Shrewsbury. He was a builder, and experienced, it is
said, a remarkable occurrence. About the year 1828 he fell
from near the top of the spire upon the roof of a meeting-house
he was building in Sutton, and so indented it, by breaking one
PARKER GENEALOGY. 189
of the rafters, as to obtain lodgment there until relieved. He
was not sensibly injured, but soon went about his work. It is
said, however, that he finally met his death in being struck by
a falling beam. The family removed to Northborough about
1850, and he met his death the year following.
Their children were :
1. Sarah Z. Hall, b. Oct. 3, 1813 ; was school-teacher at North-
borough.
2. Louisa A. Hall, b. June 28, 1815.
3. James M. Hall, b. July 22, 1817.
4. Anna P. Hall, b. Nov. 13, 1819.
5. Mary J. Hall, b. Dec. 8, 1821.
6. William E. Hall, b. April 26, 1824.
7. Silence M. Hall, b. April 16, 1832.
89. Betsey Parker (EUsha,^ Afnos,^ Andrew,^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Major Elisha and Sally (Baker)
Parker, was b. March 25, 1782; m. April 25, 1810, Gardner
Paige of Hardwick. They lived in Bakersfield, Vt. She d.
Feb. 23, i860. He d. Nov. 7, 1861.
Their children were :
1. Gardner Addison Paige, b. in Bakersfield, Vt., April 23, i8ii ;
m. May 27, 1S35, Lydia B. Shattuck (b. also April 23, 181 1)
of St. Albans, Vt., dau. of Moses Shattuck of Townshend, Vt.,
and wife Hannah Bingham, a native of Rochester, N. Y.
They removed, 1870, to Milford, Del., where he d. in Nov.,
1888. His widow survives him. Their children were :
I. Seneca Paige, b. 1836 ; d.
II. WoRTHiNGTON Paige, b. 1837 ; d.
III. Reed Paige, b. 1839.
IV. Hannah Paige, b. 1841 ; m. Oaks.
V. Louisa Paige, b. 1842 ; m. Smoot.
VI. Marion Paige, b. 1844; m. Green.
VII. Gardner Paige, b. 1846.
viii. Harris L. Paige, b. 1850.
2. Timothy S. Paige, b. Feb. 18, 1814; d. Oct. 16, 1817.
3. Betsey M. Paige, b. April 5, 1817; m. (i) Dec. 29, 1S42,
Samuel Peckham of Broome, P. Q. ; he d. July 1844, and she
m. (2) Feb. 15, 1S46, C. R. Parker of Lockport, N. Y. (No.
234, page 191). She d. May 7, 1853. She had dau. Mary
Jane Peckham, who d. Aug. 29, 1866, aged 20 years.
ipO PARKER GENEALOGY.
4. Elisha Stillman Paige, b. March 18, 1819; m. Betsey Soule
of Fairfield, Vt. They had dau. Maria, now Mrs. Hawaij^an.
5. Mary Ann Lee Paige, b. Feb. 17, 1823; m. Sept. 26, 1849,
Edmund C, son of Ephraim Knight, who was son of Amos,
of Shrewsbury, Vt.. and Philander (Beaman) Knight, dau.
of Sheldon Beaman of Milton, Vt. The family reside in
Stanbridge, Canada. Their children were :
I. Paige Knight, b. Dec. 31, 1S50.
II. Catharine Knight, b. June 17, 1S55 ; m. Sept. 26,
1S77, Ernest M. Lambkin, and has three daughters.
III. David Brown Knight, b. Dec. 20, 1857; m. Dec. 17,
1879, ^^^^ P- Rice, and has two daughters and two sons.
IV. Stillman Paige Knight, b. May 3, i860; m. Jan. i,
1880, Julia Baker, and has two sons.
6. Sarah Jane Paige, b. May 27, 1824; m. Nov. 3, 1868. Henry
Dean of Bakersfield, Vt. They reside in Bakersfield.
91. Elisha Parker (Elisha,^ Amos,= Andrew,'- yohn,^
Haiianiah,^ Thomas^), son of Maj. Elisha and Sally (Baker)
Parker, was b. Nov. 23, 1787: m. 1811, Eunice Dean of
Barnard, Vt. Her parents were early settlers of Barnard from
the town of Hardwick, Mass. He lived in Barnard four years ;
the remainder of his life was passed in Bakersfield, Vt. He
d. April 15. 1847. His widow Eunice d. Sept. 21, 1884.
He was stout in stature, and was blessed with a very hearty,
happy disposition. Horseback riding was his favorite mode
of conveyance and healthful exercise.
Their children were :
231. Elisha H. Parker, b. May 10, 1S18; m. Alvira P. Ferrin.
232. Minerva E. Parker, b. May 13, 1S27 ; m. Josiah Converse,
a native of Brookfield, Mass.
233. Robert D. Parker, b. May 6, 1834; m. Sarah Hawes of
Auburn, Mass.
92. Elijah Parker (Elisha,^ Amos,^ Andreiv,^ yo/m,3
Hananiah,^ T/iomas^), son of Maj. Elisha and Sally (Baker)
Parker, was b. Nov. 23, 1787 ; m. 1810, Rhody, younger
dau. of Dea. Isaac Butler of Fairfield, Vt. She was seventh
in descent from Dea. Richard Butler, whose name first appears
on the records of Cambridge, Mass., in 1632 ; was a freeman
PARKER GENEALOGY. I9I
there in 1634, and in 1636 was one of the company who went
through the wilderness with Rev. Samuel Hooker and formed
the settlement at Hartford, Ct. Elijah Parker removed with
his family to New York State and settled in Cambria, where
he d. Feb. 8, 1868. She survived him, her date of death
being Nov. 6, 1873, at Lockport, N. Y. He was most highly
respected by his fellow-citizens.
"Elijah Parker was one of the pioneers of this country; an in-
dustrious, careful, prudent man, and a law-abiding citizen. He
accumulated a competency and lived long in the town of Cambria to
enjoy it — a highly respected and honored member of the community."
All the children were b. in Bakersfield, Vt., except the
youngest :
Cho Laura Parker, d. in infancy.
234. Charles Rollin Parker, b. Jan. 5, 1S14; m. (i) Portia
Adelia Harmon.
235. Cho Augusta Parker, b. Aug. 10, 1S15 ; ni. Silas Hall, a
native of Newburyport, Mass.
236. Caroline Miranda Parker, b. March 16, iSiS ; m. Stephen
Decatur Scovell.
Martha Cornelia Parker, b. Sept. 7, 1823.
Amanda Bowdish Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1S25 ; resides at Beach
Ridge, N. Y. To her care and interest is indebted much of ful-
ness of the genealogy of her family as shown in this volume.
237. Isaac Butler Parker, b. Nov. 19, 1S29; m. Clarissa
Gillet of Youngstown, N. Y.
238. Frederic Deforest Parker, b. in Levviston, N. Y., Aug.
10, 1830; m. Helen Nickols of Michigan.
93. Patty Parker (Elisha.^ Amos,^ Andrew,^ John,T>
Hananiah,^ Thomas'), dau. of Maj. Elisha and Sally (Baker)
Parker, was b. in Bakerstield, Vt., May 3, 1790; m. Elijah
Barnes as his second wife.
Her only child was :
I. Elizabeth Martha Barnes, b. April 6, 1S2S. After her
father's death she became a missionary teacher for the Ameri-
can Missionary Association to the Freedmeu in the St)uth,
where she labored 17 years until her health failed her in 1882.
192
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Jan. 18, 18S3, she and Dea. H. M. Stevens of St. Albans, Vt.,
were m. Their m. life was short but very happy. She d.
May 7, 1885.
94. James Sullivan Parker (Eliska,^ Anios,^ Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Maj. Elisha and Sally
(Baker) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Aug. i, 1798.
He m. and had at least one dau., who became Mrs. Sarah E.
Evans and lived in Washington, D. C.
95. Jonas Parker (Elisha,^ Amos,^ Andrczu,'^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Maj. Elisha and Sally (Baker)
Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Sept. 15, 1800; m. Lima
Freeman, b. in Barnard, Vt., Jan. 13, 1802, dau. of Joshua
and Joan Freeman. They first settled in Bakersfield ; removed
to Moretown, Vt. He was a successful builder and a good
farmer. He was well beloved by his associates, and a favorite
with his brethren.
All the children were b. in Bakersfield, Vt. :
S39. Rebecca Ann Parker, b. Sept. 39, 1825 ; m. Langdon
Marshall of Brookfield, Vt.
240. Joshua Freeman Parker, b. Sept. 23, 1827 ; m. Caroline
D. Seabnry.
241. John Cortland Parker, b. March 15, 1831 ; m. Oliva M.
Wheeler of Wallingford, Vt.
242. Lima Joan Parker, b. Aug. 11, 1836; m. April 26, 1S75,
Henry Fullerton of Waitesfield, Vt., and resides in Montpelier, Vt.
96. Abigail Parker ( Ephraim,'^ Amos ,^ Andrew ,^ yo/in,^
Hananiah,- Thomas^), dau. of Ephraim and Abigail (Baker)
Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., March 5, 1796; m.
March 31, 1812, Joshua Worcester of Jafirey, N. H.
Their children were :
1. Ephraim Parker Worcester, b. June 20, 1813 ; m. Nancy
Gage, dau. of Jonathan Gage of JatlVey, N. H. They reside
in Pittsfield.
2. Emeline Parker Worcester, b. July 4, 1815 ; d. Oct. 23,
1886, aged 71. She never married, but for many years was a
successful teacher of schools in Boston until she became too
infirm to teach and then returned to her native place and died
at the residence of her sister Abigail.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I93
3. Abigail Worcester, b. March 30, 1817; m. William Gage,
son of Jonathan Gage of JatiVey, N. H. He d. Sept. 12,
1842, aged 30, and she now lives on the old homestead in Fitz-
vvilliam and successfully carries on the farm by the aid of all
needed help.
4. Joshua Worcester, m. for a second wife Lydia Whipple of
Richmond, N. H., by whom he had tive children, to wit:
I. Milton Worcester.
II. Hannah Worcester.
III. George Albert Worcester.
IV. A child who d. in infancy.
V. Lydia Worcester.
97. Hannah Parker (Nahwn,^ Amos,^ Andrezv,^
yokn,i Hanantah,^ Tkomas"^), dau. of Judge Nahum and
Mary (Deeth) Parker, was b. in Shrewsbury, Dec. 26, 1784;
came to Fitzwilliam, N. H., with her parents in 1786; m.
Luna Foster, Jr., of Fitzwilliam, Feb. 29, 1810. They lived
at Fitzwilliam until 181^, when they removed to Westmoreland,
N. H., and there resided the remainder of their days. She d.
Aug. 7, 1863, aged 79^ years. He d. April 13, 1865.
Their children were :
I. Benjamin Franklin Foster, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H, in 181 2 ;
m. Sept. 30, 1832, Electa Beebe of Brattleborough, Vt. She
lately d. They lived many years in East Westmoreland, N.
H., and he now resides in Keene, N. H. Children :
I. Amos Parker Foster ; m. Sarah Gale. They reside
in Austin, Texas, and have had two children.
II. Eunice P. Foster ; m. George Abbot, and resides in
Joliet, 111.
III. Adin Foster ; m. Nancy M. Perry, and resides in Gardner.
IV. Ellen D. Foster ; m. Alfred D. Perry, and resides in
Keene, N. H.
V. Addison D. Foster ; m. Malissa Perry. He went to tiie
war of the Rebellion and d. in the service.
VI. Allison D. Foster ; m. Kate Wood, and resides in
Natchez, Miss.
VII. Ella H. Foster ; m. Frederick Wilson, and resides in
Keene, N. H.
VIII. Anson F. Foster; m. Eldora H. Streeter, and resides in
Keene, N. H.
13
194 PARKER GENEALOGY.
2. Nahum Parker Foster, b. in Fitzwilliam, Feb. lo, 1814; d.
May 9, 187^, aged 61 ; m. Emily Wilber. He was educated
as a physician and took his degree of M.D. at Harvard Uni-
versity, and afterwards became a Baptist preacher, and prac-
ticed both professions with marked success to near the time of
his death. Soon after his marriage he settled (i) at Unity,
N. H., (2) at Cornish Falls, N. H., (3) at Stoughton, Mass.,
(4) at Burlington, Vt., and (5) at Montpelier, Vt. Here he
was two years chaplain of the Legislature. On leaving Mont-
pelier he took a voyage to Europe and visited various places
of note, among which were Palestine, the Dead Sea, the pyra-
mids of Egypt, etc., and on his return settled in New London,
Ct., where he died. He left an estate of $30,000, and one
daughter, who survives him. His wife died at New London
a few years before his own death. He was a skilful doctor
and an impressive preacher and lecturer. He had a most won-
derful prepossessing appearance. He died suddenly in the full
vigor of life from the eftects of poison administered to him by
mistake.
3. Mary Foster, b. in Westmoreland, N. H., Sept. 4, 1817; m.
Edward R. Winchester, and lived in Westmoreland until his
decease. She is living and has one son.
98. Austin Parker (Nahnm^^ Amos,^ Andrew,'^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas'')^ son of Judge Nahum and Mary (Deeth)
Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Jan. 24, 1787; m.
Susan Martin of Gardner and settled in Westmoreland, N. H.,
and d. there Aug. 7, 1863, aged 76. His wife survived him
a few years. Austin Parker was a good mechanic (a charac-
teristic of the family branch), and was a carpenter as well as
a farmer. He was for a long time surveyor. He was select-
man and justice of the peace.
Their children were :
Marion M. Parker ; now deceased.
Demaris C. Parker ; now deceased.
243. Frederick A. Parker, b. 1822 ; m. Clara M. Hyland of
Westmoreland, N. H.
Norman Parker ; he was killed on the railroad.
99. Amos A. Parker (JVahum,^ Amos,^ Andrew,^ yohn,^
Hananiak.^ Thomas'), son of Judge Nahum and Mary (Deeth)
Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Oct. 8, 1791. He
COL. AMOS ANDREW PARKER.
AGED liii, Oct. s, 1892.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I95
worked on his father's farm in the east part of the town until
he was about i6 years of age, and not having a robust consti-
tution turned his attention to classical studies and fitted for col-
lege. He was about a year under the tuition of the pastor of
Fitzwilliam, Rev. John Sabin, and then went to the Academy
at Amherst, N. H., and finished at the New Ipswich Acade-
my. He entered the sophomore class at the Universitv of
Vermont, Feb. 3, 181 1, and graduated in 1813. On his
return to his native town he became storekeeper, but soon
went to Virginia, where he staid three years as teacher in
planters' families. Returning to his native State he com-
menced the study of law with James Wilson, senior, at
Keene, and completed his course with Levi Champlain at
Fitzwilliam, and was admitted to the bar of the Superior Court
in 182 1. He commenced the practice of law at Epping, N.
H., and then went to Concord, N. H., where he became editor
of the Nezu Hampshire Statesman. While there he was ap
pointed aid to Governor D. L. Morrill and enjoyed the title of
Colonel. While he was serving in this capacity he had the
pleasure of inviting Gen. Lafayette, then at Boston, to visit
New Hampshire.
He removed to Concord in 1826, and soon after to New
Market. In 183 1 he located in Exeter and Kingston, and in
1836 returned to Fitzwilliam, after an absence of 16 years.
In April, 1879, he went to Glastonbury, Ct., and at that
place and at Hartford he resided until 1888. He returned to
his native town at the advanced age of 98 to spend the
remainder of his days with his son.
These are the outlines of a busy life, and the details would
fill a volume. x\ brief account of his life follows, in which
I have made direct use of the venerable Mr. Parker's man-
uscript, written for this use at an age when we are accustomed
to imagine a man as with one foot in the grave, and never with
the ability to wield the pen with ease, and relate occurrences
with accurate distinctness, yet these lines are the production
of his vigorous intellect and active health at the great age of
99. He says :
" In the first place, it is needful to state I had the good fortune
to have a father of a strong mind, firm convictions, steady in
196 PARKER GENEALOGY.
purpose, and a strict disciplinarian. Although restraint was
sometimes disagreeable and even unreasonable, yet, surely, I
ought to be thankful for all the restraints and teachings of
earl}'- life, for to those I am indebted for the solid foundation
of a long and busy life.
"My father would say, 'Children are not born with knowl-
edge, but only with the capacity to achieve it and the only
way to learn is to think, exercise mind and note passing
events. The great difference found in men is mainly owing
to one man's thinking while others think not, and that there
is no natural connection between ideas and words, and there-
fore words must be learned in order to express our thoughts.'
He would accordingly call me with spelling-book in hand to
his side and teach me hovj to study. Following his careful
instructions I soon found the benefit of it, for I was able to get
my lessons perfect, so that in time I could readily spell all the
words in the spelling-book. In the spelling down exercises I
was always a standing scholar at the close. I gradually mem-
orized all the words in the dictionary, which was of inestima-
ble value to me in after life, as I had no need to look into a
dictionary for spelling or definition." Mr. Parker also often
relates the account of a little experience while still a small boy
which much impressed him. At some entertainment a man
exhibited his ability at memorizing, as each one in his audience
named one object after another until 25 were named, he would
then repeat them in the order named, forward or backward.
Young Amos marvelled at this and so wrote the names down
in order and found the man true to his word. He told the
boy how he did it. to wit : by imagining each of the objects
and placing them in a long row in order as the objects were
named, and by practice, said he, you can so impress your
mind as to remember them in order a long time. Young Amos
found this to be practical, and he afterwards memorized in
this manner. Up to this day he retains a tenacious memory,
almost incredible for one of his extreme age. In his law
practice this was very useful, as a conversation once heard he
could repeat exactly, with no omissions or additions, and
he still delights in repeating the conversations of his distin-
guished friends of the olden time. His anecdotes seem with-.
PARKER GENEALOGY. I 97
out number and are all interesting. After outgrowing Mr.
Sabin's country school at Fitzwilliam he entered the New
Ipswich Academy. He graduated from the Academy in 1809,
83 years ago ! He then prepared for college and entered the
sophomore class of the University of Vermont in Burlington,
a year and a half ahead.
" I was deemed an unusually ready writer and composer and
would finish a long composition in a short time. Although I
might have a greater flow of words than others my composi-
tions cost me many hours of intense thought. Be it known to
all young men that no one is born a scholar, but to be one
costs much time and labor.
"War with England was declai-ed on the i8th day of June,
1812, and in a short time the town was full of soldiers. When
I left at Commencement, in 1813, it was said there were seven
thousand men. Captain Ezekiel Jewett of Rugby, afterwards
Colonel, was then in command of a company. He was an
early acquaintance of mine and often called at my room in
college. He said he could assist me at an}'^ time when the
army was not drilling or marching to visit the camp ground on
the lake shore. All I had to do was to call on the officer of
the day and call for Captain Jewett. He would come, take
me over the lines and show all I wished to see in the camp.
By his aid I witnessed many scenes new to me, some of which
were painful. Not to go into all the particulars, I witnessed
the pardon of two soldiers sentenced to be shot for desertion,
two actually shot and one hanged. And that sufficed for a
long life for I never have witnessed another execution.
"The Yankees had fitted up two sloops of war and the British
had done the same thing and came out to Burlington and com-
menced firing at long shot, a challenge for a fight. The
Yankees had pluck, hoisted all sail and bore down upon them.
The British ships retreated, the wind was strong from the
south and the Yankee ships gained upon them as they passed
down the lake out of sight. Soon after we heard the boom-
ing of cannon in one continued roar for a few minutes and then
all was silent. A short battle and complete victory on one
side or the other. It was some days before we heard of the
result, and then the Yankee sailors returned chop-fallen and
198 PARKER GENEALOGY.
mad. They had been fooled and lost their ships. The
British ships had come out merely as a decoy, not intending
any battle on the water, but went down the lake where it was
narrow and the vessels must pass near the shore. All of a
sudden a masked battery on the land opened upon them ; that
a surrender or cut to pieces was the only alternative. The
British then had command of the lake and in a few days came
out to Burlington with quite a fleet, the Yankee ships among
them. No ships to meet them, but the Yankees had not been
idle. Forty cannons had been placed on the lake shore, some
of large size, to defend the city of Burlington. I was in the
bell-deck of the college, some four hundred feet above the
lake, and had a tine view of the whole scene. The British
fleet came on slowly and with great caution. When about
near enough to hit the city a flag of truce was hoisted on one
of the ships, and a boat started for the shore. The American
commander despatched a similar boat to meet it. They met,
and in five minutes each boat returned to its own place.
Immediatel}^ after the return of the boats the British gave a
broadside, but the balls fell short, came nearer and fired again,
the balls reached the shore. Then it was the Yankees gave
them shot and shell from forty cannons on the shore. It is
said that our guns were masked, except two or three, so that
the British were not aware of their existence. Although the
battle was more than a mile away I could see the balls in the
air and when they struck the ships or water. The first volley
cut sails of the ships and the ships also, and immediatelj'^ a
retreat was ordered, but as they were sailing vessels with a
light wind their movements were slow, and as the guns from
the shore continued firing the ships were more or less damaged.
Soon they were at a safe distance, moved up into Shelburne
Bay, took two or three small vessels there, and sailed back to
Canada. A bloodless battle it seemed and no great mischief
done, and yet it was an attractive scene from the place where
I stood. Indeed, I know of no more splendid scene than at
the balcony of the college. On the west the city, lake, islands
and mountains beyond ; on the east a long chain of the Green
Mountains ; and on the south and north an extended view of
mountains and plains. But what is war? With all its glitter-
1»ARKER GENEALOGY. I99
ing show and splendor it is but a savage affair, costing many
lives and much property, and settles nothing.
" On Sundays the troops were under arms and marched miles
away for exercise. As viewed from the college seven thou-
sand men in platoons occupied two miles in length on the
march.
" I never knew before what exhilarating music the drum and
fife could make. The instruments seemed all in tune together
and all together poured forth such a flood of music that would
start a man into action if there was any life in him.
" I shortly entered into partnership with Maj. Pearson, a suc-
cessful merchant of my native town. But in the fall of 1815 I
decided to change my place and occupation. I travelled by
stage to Albany, on to New York in the boat and to Philadel-
phia in the stage. From there to Baltimore in the stage and
steamboat and without stopping passed on to Washington city
in the stage. The war was over but we passed signs of the
battle at Bladensburg, for the British soldiers had been so
slightly buried that red coats, here and there, stuck out of the
ground. At Washington city the capitol had been blown up
and was in ruins. At Alexandria a man was employed to find
a northern man to teach a planter's family living near Fred-
ericksburg in Virginia. I passed on to Fredericksburg and
soon found my place of destination, Holly Wood, on the
northern neck, as the strip of land was called, between Chesa-
peake Bay and the Rappahannock river. The planter had
some 300 slaves and 1,500 acres of land. I had a neat log
school-house, well painted and finished inside, and eight
scholars.
"In the beginning of the school I practiced the usual form
of school-keeping in New England, but as I had only a few
scholars and a year or more to teach, soon concluded to im-
prove on the old plan as much as I could. New England
schools were then, if not now, governed by strict authority,
but I was determined to govern by kindness and succeeded
even beyond my expectations. I soon gained the confidence
and affection of all the scholars, for they found I was their
true friend and anxious for their enjoyment of all rational
pleasures. I aided them in getting and understanding their
200 PARKER GENEALOGY.
lessons, told them stories to illustrate and explain a sentiment ;
taught them the use of words, how to write and improve the
memory, and then the duty of leading a true honest life and
never needlessly giving any one pain, even to animals. Some-
times I joined them in walks over the plantation, looked on to
see them play marbles and told them pleasant stories. In
short, I had a model school, and the two years of my life
were pleasant and as happy as they could be under the cir-
cumstances.
" On the 4th of July, 1816, I delivered an oration at a barbe-
cue in a grove at Falmouth, Va. The performance was highly
spoken of at the time, and a splendid notice appeared in the
newspaper.
"I had a desire to see more of the State of Virginia before I
left and bought a horse to take a trip and visit some of the
beautiful scenes so well described in Jefferson's ' Notes on
Virginia.' I passed over the Blue Ridge at Ashby Gap and
had a splendid view of the Shenandoah Valley : went to Har-
per's Ferry, where the Potomac and Shenandoah meet and
rush through the mountain, and where the United States
Armory was in full operation. Satisfied with viewing this
romantic spot I passed on through Charlestown, Winchester,
Woodstock, New Market, to Port Republic and stopped at the
hotel near the Wier and Madison caves. They are both in
the same mountain and I visited them both. Wier's cave is
much the larger and goes into the mountain half a mile.
Madison's cave is well described by Mr. Jefferson, but Wier's
was unknown in his day. Monticello, Mr. Jefierson's seat, is
on a fine mountain, five miles distant from Charlottesville,
and a branch of the Rappahannock river rushes by its base.
Mr. Jefferson had a saw- and grist-mill on the stream, and I
had a fine view of him there superintending his workmen.
Montpelier, Mr. Madison's seat, is 20 miles north and his
house stands a mile from the road."
Returning to New Hampshire Mr. Parker began the prac-
tice of law in Epping, N. H. Devoting a similar interest and
thoroughness to this work, as was characteristic of him as a
student and teacher, he achieved immediate success ; won
every case of law while there and soon enjoyed a large prac-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 201
tice. At this time Isaac Hill published the New Hampshire
Patriot, which had a large circulation and great influence.
In an arbitrary manner the editor had so much offended some
of the leading men of his own party that they started a sheet
at Concord called the New Hampshire Statesman and wished
to find an editor of sufficient power to successfully combat the
Patriot. Mr. Parker was urged to accept this charge and he
proved to be the proper man for the place. In regard to his
life as editor he says :
"I left Epping with regret, for I had been very successful
in law business and had many good friends, and felt I was
leaving a certainty for an uncertainty, and so it proved, finan-
cially, but politically a success. At Concord I made a thorough
investigation of the condition I had assumed and found I had
a hard task before me. Isaac Hill was lord of all he surveyed,
his paper had a large circulation and was full of advertise-
ments. He did much more printing than his newspaper, was
successful in business, had grown rich and asked no favors.
And I, single handed, was expected to meet and successfully
contend against such odds.
"Before I had time fairly to begin he made an onslaught on
the Statesman and attempted to crush me at a blow. But in
the end he had reason to feel discretion was the better part of
valor, for the Statesman carried the State three successive times
against him on the Governor and on the election of President
of the United States. But I do not claim to be the author of
all the vigorous editorials that were published in the New
Hampshire Statesman. Ezekiel Webster, the brother of
Daniel, freely wielded his vigorous pen, and one article.,
which caused a great sensation, was written by Daniel Web-
ster, himself. Even the great lawyer, Jeremiah Mason, then
of Portsmouth, N. H., lent a helping hand.
"'The war was carried into Africa,' and Mr. Hill at last
treated me with due respect, showed me kind attentions and
when I left Concord, bade me a friendly adieu.''
In 1824 and 1825 Col. Parker was aid-de-camp to Gov.
Morrill, during which time he rendered conspicuous service.
Soon after Gen. Lafayette arrived in Boston in 1824 Col.
Parker received an order from the Governor to invite the
202 PARKER GENEALOGY.
General to visit the Granite State and to escort him from Bos-
ton to Concord, N. H. Lafayette had won the affection
of all patriotic citizens, and was held by our people in the
highest esteem of any man of foreign birth. It is little won-
der that Col. Parker became very interested in his famous
guest. The General once told him, in the best of good na-
ture, that he was the most inquisitive man he had found in
America. When about to depart from Concord, Lafayette,
placing his arm around Mr. Parker and pressing him to his
side, gave him a cordial invitation to visit him at his home in
France. The Colonel thus describes his experience in the
performance of his official duty :
"On the 2ist of June, 1825, five days after the celebration at Bunker Hill,
during which Gen. Lafayette placed the mortar on which the corner-stone was
laid, I was in Boston prepared to escort the General to Concord. Besides the
General, there were his son, George Washington Lafayette, his private secre-
tary, Emile Lavassiur, and a servant.
" I had three carriages, a barouche drawn by four horses, a four-horse stage
coach, and a two-horse covered carriage for baggage. When I was ready to
call at the General's lodgings for him, an aid of the Governor of Massachu-
setts informed me that the honor of the State required that he should escort
the guest to the State line at Methuen ; so there was nothing for me to do
but keep out of their way till that place was reached.
"Just then a Revolutionary veteran from Vermont who had attended the
Bunker Hill celebration, and had been left by the stage, begged me for a ride
as far as Concord. I took him in, unsuspicious of the consequences of my
act, till we reached Maiden.
"There we were welcomed by a great crowd, the bells ringing and cannon
firing, bands playing, and people shouting, 'Welcome Lafayette.' They took
the soldier at my side for Lafayette.
"I drove right into the crowd and said: 'This is not Gen. Lafayette; he
will be here in an hour. This is an old Revolutionary veteran — give him
three cheers, please.'
"They did so with a will. The veteran saluted and we passed on. On the
way I had to make more than ten speeches before we reached Methuen.
"When the General arrived at Methuen he entered my barouche, the old
soldier retiring to the stage coach. The General laughed heartily at my ex-
perience in speech-making, and laughingly proposed that for the rest of the
way we alternate in making speeches, in order that he might have a rest.
"At all hotels, stores, villages and cross roads crowds had assembled to
greet him. It was June and roses were abundant, and our carriage frequently
became so encumbered with them that we were forced to unload them in
solitary places. In every crowd men, women and children pressed enthusi-
astically forward, babies being frequently presented for the General to kiss.
" At one place a middle-aged woman put her arm about his neck and kissed
him on the cheek, he returning the compliment. The air rang with applause
and cheers, and all along the route the General would rise in the carriage,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 203
wave his hat and return thanks tor the attentions, but he made no formal
address till he reached Concord."
"For the evening reception the capitol and surrounding
buildings were illuminated and a vast throng attended. At this
levee I introduced my wife and tirst-born child, announcing
his name to be George Washington. He shook hands with the
wife, took the child in his arms, impressed a kiss on its
cheek, looked at the mother and then at the child, and in a
subdued voice said : ' I am reminded of the loved and the lost.'
I knew he was thinking of his own beloved wife, his first born
child and his noble friend, Washington — all dead!"
Many years later Mr. Parker published his reminiscences
of that eventful trip in his '"Recollections of General Lafay-
ette," a work of great interest and of much historical value.
His memory of the occasion and of the General is clear and
distinct and his conversation concerning them is extremely
entertaining.
In 1826 he removed to New Market, N. H., where he
practiced law, taking a very active part in the social alfairs of
the place, and charged no fee for enforcing justice for those not
possessed of worldly goods. He was very determined in his
work of reform and the town of New Market owes much to
his attentive interest and able leadership. It soon became
known that the new lawyer would vindicate rights, money or
no money. Speaking of his experience there he says :
" I then became aware how one man could chase a thousand
tipplers and vagabonds, for they scattered and went elsewhere,
as they found it was no place for them. It was manifest that
the village had improved and that good order had taken the
place of disorder and drunkenness."
At this time very little was known of the country west of
the Mississippi. Col. Parker decided to devote a part of his
life in exploring some of this large territory, stories about
which were mostly conjecture, and make his trip of service to
the public on his return. Even concerning what is now Mich-
igan, Illinois, Missouri, Louisiana and Texas very little was
definitely known. He writes as follows :
"1 took the stage to Albany and then the canal-boat to Buffalo.
Visited Niagara Falls, Detroit, and went by stage 200 miles to
204 PARKER GENEALOGY.
St. Joseph on Lake Michigan and by boat to Chicago. There,
in company with three young men, took a team and explored
the upper portion of the State of lUinois as far as Rock
river, then southerly to Peoria and then on steamboat to St.
Louis. I rode in a steamboat to Natchez and from there on
horseback into Texas beyond the Colorado river. I returned
to the sea-coast at Velasco and sailed in a vessel to New
Orleans. From there I came in a sailing vessel to Boston and
home at Exeter ; having been absent about five months, and
travelled by land and water eight thousand miles.
" At this time emigration was rapidly increasing to the South
and West. Many letters of inquiry were addressed to me and
I at once wrote the book entitled 'Trip to the West and
Texas.' The first 500 copies were so readily sold that a sec-
ond edition was called for. Forty thousand copies were struck
oft' and sold in a short time."
The book was very eagerly read by all. The following
extract from his active pen, shows his interesting style, and
the able manner in which he treated matters of deep research
and thought. The second edition was published by William
White of Concord, N. H., and B. B. Muzzey of Boston, Mass.,
in 1836, more than half a century ago.
"By diligent research," writes Col. Parker, "I have found
one solitary copy, and in looking it over I find it so completely
out of date that the southern and western portions of the United
States have so completely changed that the book is useless
now, as it can give no certain information of the present con-
dition of the country. One thing, however, seems to be the
same now as then, the great Mississippi valley, its rivers and
tributaries, and, therefore, I copy an extract on that subject:
"The Mississippi river, which imparts a name and character to the great
valley of the West, claims something more than passing notice. It rises in
about the 48th parallel of latitude in wild rice lakes and soon becomes a large
river. Sometimes it moves silently along over a wide, muddy channel, at
others it glides swiftly over a sandy, and its waters as transparent as air, and
again it becomes compressed to a narrow channel between high limestone
cliffs, and foams and runs as it lashes the projecting rocks and struggles
through. The Falls of St. Anthony, following the course of the river, is
three hundred miles from its source. It is about half a mile wide and falls
eighteen feet. Above the mouth of the Missouri its numerous large tributa-
ries are the Wisconsin and Illinois from the east, and the Des Moines from
PARKER GENEALOGY.
205
the west. A little below 39° dashes in the Missouri river from the west, is a
longer stream and carries more water than the Mississippi. Undoubtedly
this is the largest tributary stream in the world, and from the facts that it has
a longer course and carries more water, and gives its peculiar character to the
united stream, it is claimed it ought to have given its name to the united
stream and great valley of the West. In opposition to this claim it may be
stated that the valley of the Missouri appears to be secondary to the Missis-
sippi, has not the general direction of that river, joins it at right angles, and
the direction of the Mississippi is the same above and below the junction.
From these considerations it seems the Mississippi rightfully gives its name
to the united stream and to the gi-eat valley from its source to the sea.
"The Missouri rises in the Rocky Mountains, nearly on the same parallel
as the Mississippi itself It is formed of three branches, called Jefferson,
Madison and Gallatin, and the head waters of some of these are not more
than a mile from the Columbia river which empties into the Pacific Ocean.
These streams unite at the base of the mountain and become a foaming tor-
rent, and is full of islands. It then passes through what is called 'The Gates
of the Rocky Mountains.' The river appears to have torn for itself a passage
for six miles through the mountains, and perpendicular cliff's of rock rise
twelve hundred feet above the stream ; the chasm is not more than three
hundred feet wide, and the deep, foaming waters rush through with the speed
of a race horse. For seventeen miles the stream becomes an almost continued
cataract. The first fall is ninety-eight feet, the second nineteen, the third
forty-seven, the fourth twenty-six. The river in a few miles assumes its dis-
tinctive character, sweeps briskly along in regular curves through limestone
bluffs, boundless prairies and dark forests to its junction with the Mississippi.
It has a current of four miles an hour, but is navigable for steamboats twenty-
five hundred miles.
"The tributaries of the Mi.ssouri are many and large, the most important
are the Yellow Stone, La Platte and the Ossage. The Yellow Stone rises in
the same range of mountains as the main river, to which it has many points
of resemblance. It enters the Missouri from the south eighteen hundred
miles above its mouth and at the junction appears to be the largest river. It
is sixteen hundred miles in length and boatable one thousand. Its shores are
generally heavily timbered, its bottoms are wide and of the richest soil.
Here the government has selected as a suitable place for a military post and
an extensive park.
"The La Platte also rises in the Rocky Mountains, enters from the south,
and measured by its meanders is two thousand miles in length. It is a broad,
shallow stream, a mile wide at its mouth and not navigable except at high
floods.
"The Ossage also enters from the south and is a large stream, boatable six
hundred miles, and its headwaters interlock with the river Arkansas.
"The Gasconade enters from the south also, boatable for sixty miles and
has on its banks extensive pine forests from which St. Louis is supplied with
timber.
"The Missouri, measured from its highest source to the Gulf of Mexico, is
longer than the Mississippi, and brings down more water, although it is not
more than half as wide. It is at all times turbid or muddy, and gives to that
river its own complexion. It dashes into the Mississippi fifteen miles above
St. Louis, and gives its four-mile current to that stream to its mouth.
2o6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
" Nearly two hundred miles below St. Louis comes in from the east the
beautiful Ohio. At its junction it is as wide as the parent stream and far
exceeds it in beauty, for it has clear water and a smooth and peaceful cur-
rent. It is formed bv the junction of the Alleghany and Monongahela at
Pittsburgh. Beautiful streams come in on both sides in its course of eleven
hundred miles to its mouth. And between these two points are a hundred
islands, the most noted and beautiful is Blenerhassett Island of a hundred and
eighty acres.
"Below the Ohio the most important tributaries are the White river,
Arkansas and Red river, all entering from the west. The White river rises
in the Black Mountains and is twelve hundred miles in length. The Arkan-
sas, next to the Missouri, is the next largest tributary from the west, and
twent\'-five hundred miles in length. Its waters are at all times turbid and
when the river is full are of a dark flame color.
" Eighty miles below Natchez comes in from the west Red river, though
not as wide as the Arkansas it has as long a course and probably carries as
much water.
"After receiving Red river the Mississippi carries its greatest volume of
water. This, however, continues but for a short distance, for three or four
miles below the mouth of Red river and on the same side is the first outlet
of the Mississippi, and that carries off as much water as the Red river brings
in. A small stream below this outlet on the east side comes into the Missis-
sippi, called Bayou Sarah . The only eastern outlet is a small distance below
Baton Rouge, called Ibberville, and passes its waters into Lake Maurepas.
Two more outlets are on the west side called Bayou Plaquemine and Bayou
La Stoube. The Mississippi then passes on between unbroken banks by the
city of New Orleans and discharges the remainder of its waters through four
mouths into the Gulf of Mexico, ninety miles below the city.
"The Mississippi is navigable for steamboats to the Falls of St. Anthony,
a distance of twenty-two hundred miles. Below the falls the river becomes a
placid, clear stream, with clean sand bars and fertile bottoms. Just below the
entrance of the river Des Moines there is a rapid of nine miles, which impedes
navigation at low water. Then the river is a mile wide to the mouth of the
Missouri. There it receives double the water but is half as wide and wholly
changes its character. Before its junction it has a current of only two miles
an hour but when the Missouri pours into it its four-mile current of muddy
waters it adds its own speed to the parent stream and it becomes a furious
mass of muddy waters with sliding banks and jagged shores.
" When we descend from the Falls of St. Anthony and behold the Missis-
sippi swallowing up the rivers in its passage to New Orleans, we then become
aware of the great mass of water it carries. From the mouth of the Ohio to
its mouth it is eighty feet deep. The spring floods are usually about fifteen
feet, at the mouth of the Ohio fifty feet, and at New Orleans only twelve feet.
In these floods the bottom lands are overflowed. The medium width of these
bottom lands above the Missouri is six miles, there to the Ohio eight miles,
and from this point to New Orleans it is from thirty to fifty miles. These
swamps at flood time are covered with water, and were it not for that circum-
stance and the outlets New Orleans would be many feet under water. The
water at the city seldom rises above twelve feet and then has to be kept out
of it by a levee or dike."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 207
Mr. Parker has been three times married. While at college
in Burlington he became acquainted with the accomplished
daughter of the president of the college. Courtship in the
midst of so many brother students was, we are assured, a very
difficult matter. Yet at length after many trials and interfer-
ences they became engaged and were finally married in Med-
field, Mass., Oct. 13, 1822. She was Miranda W., b. April
16, 1796 ; d. March 13, 1828, dau. of Daniel and Anna (Clark)
Sanders of Medfield, Mass. The}^ settled in Epping, N. H.,
as aforestated. Five years and five months they had lived
together when the wife died.
His second wife was Mary McClary, dau. of Gen. Michael
McClary of Epsom, N. H., famous for his brave leadership in
the Revolutionary war. She was an efficient woman and a
good housewife. She d. April 3, 1876, aged 81 years.
He m. third, April 9, 1879, J^^i^ E. Smith of Glastonbury,
Ct., b. May 27, 1792. She was famous for translating the
Bible from the original Hebrew manuscript, which she had
printed, and also for resisting "taxation without representa-
tion," as, like other women, she enjoyed no voice in public
affairs. She had lived single previously and both were aged
86 at the time of their marriage. At this age Col. Parker was
comparatively a man of 60, and the event shows the remarka-
ble energy and exceptional courage of both parties. Seven
years of pleasant married life were passed at the Smith estate
in Glastonbury, Ct., where she d. March 6, 1886.
And now after a long eventful life he has returned to his
native town to pass the remainder of his days. And Col.
Parker's has been a life as full of activity as of years. He has
held more offices and remained in office during a longer period
than any other man in the State of New Hampshire. For 79
years a member of the bar, he was, during all but 20 years of
the time, a justice of the quorum, holding commissions from 14
different governors, with all of whom he was intimately ac-
quainted. He attended 13 sessions of the State legislature,
was for eight years a trustee of the New Hampshire Asylum
for Insane ; for ten years first selectman of Fitzwilliam ; mem-
ber of the Legal Association of New York, and member of
the New Hampshire Historical Society, besides holding many
other positions of responsibility and trust.
208 PARKER GENEALOGY.
In 1845 we find him actively engaged in forwarding the
projected railroad between Boston and Burlington by way of
Rutland. After aiding in obtaining charters for the Fitchburg
and Cheshire road he brought the matter before the people of
Vermont, addressing large crowds in Bellows Falls, Brandon,
Rutland, Vergennes and Burlington. The Rutland and
Burlington railroad was built and is to-day the Rutland divis-
ion of the Central Vermont system.
When the Civil war broke out Mr. Parker was unable to
enlist on account of his age but he furnished a substitute.
Three of his sons went also, two returning in safety, while the
third died in the service.
Besides the book of travels and the historical work on Lafay-
ette already mentioned he published a book of poems in his
eightieth year and wrote many stories, magazine articles and
newspaper contributions.
As a public speaker Mr. Parker has also made his mark.
In addition to Fast Day addresses, railroad, political and mis-
cellaneous speeches Mr. Parker has delivered four Fourth of
July orations, the first one being in l8i6 at Falmouth on the
banks of the Rappahannock in Virginia, one in Rockingham
County, Vermont, and two at Fitzwilliam. Each of these
orations were highly commended. One of the finest gems of
its kind is an address on "Education," delivered at Rindge on
October 17, 1843, before the Cheshire County Primary School
Association. It is the result of experience, is full of common
sense, is clear cut and vigorous. His address to his fellow-
citizens at Fitzwilliam, Fast Day, 1862, in support of the civil
war, was a very masterly oration and created enthusiasm.
At the time Esquire Parker quitted his profession he had
practiced law the longest of any man in the State of New
Hampshire. He is the oldest living graduate of any Ameri-
can college. At the election of Nov. 8, 1892, he arose from
his bed, rode to the polls and in the village of his native town,
at the age of loi years, cast his ballot for President Harrison,
the twentieth president for whom he has voted. It is the first
known instance of such an event. But at such an extreme
age we may well believe that the eye has grown dim and the
feeble footstep very unsteady ; yet up to 99 years he walked
PARKER GENEALOGY.
209
out every pleasant day. Sudden sickness has not spared him,
particularly in his declining years, but a remarkable will
power and a great desire to live has ever been his support in
these afflictions. The retention of one's faculties to this extreme
age is indeed worthy our study, as constant inquiries from the
wondering public, of which he is the recipient, attest. Never
far behind, he is ever interested in the changes and progress
of the times, particularly in the social improvement which
invention and education has accomplished in the remarkable
epoch in which he has lived. In his opposition to intemper-
ance and slavery; his aid in the introduction of railways, and
in any other reforms which he has advocated during his long
public service it has been his fortune to ever be on the right
and winning side.
A patriarch of experience, observation and wisdom, his
advice regarding longevity is quickly expressed : Never eaty
work, -play or sleep to excess; keep a quiet mind, and let it
always have perfect influence over the body ; let the mind be
commander-in-chief. What activity and hope, what physical
and mental vigor and manhood are depicted in this original
note penned hastily at the age of loi !
'•'•Fitztoilliam, N. H., March 30, i8g2.
"But I am now Five-Score On the Roll of Fame !
And most six months more After all, what is Fame?
And cannot ignore 'Tis but a mere name.
A plain simple fact Should the old man Amos,
That I cannot act Become noxv famous,
As in days of yore Would it help him to die.''
When I was //^ree-score, If so, tell me why.
And deeply deplore • My solid intent
That I can't do more. Is a life well spent.
And still I shall aim And thus, I will end,
To live and die game, This letter I send.
Perhaps put my name To my distant Friend.
"Amos A. Parker,
" 100 years old October 8, 1891."
Children of Amos A. Parker :
244. George Washington Parker, b. in Concord, N. H., Aug.
14, 1824; m. Julia A. Deeth.
H
2IO PARKER GENEALOGY.
Daniel Clark Sanders Parker, b. in Medfield, Mass., Sept. 2,
1826; drowned in Troy, N. H., June 15, 1S45. He was a very
promising young man.
345. Andrew Parker, b. in New Market, N. H., March 2, 1828 ;
m. Laura A. Morse of Winchendon.
246. Miranda Sanders Parker, b. June 10, 1S29 ; m. June,
1855, Anson Smith of Fitzwilliam, N. H.
247. Charles Henry Parker, b. Sept., 1833; m. Jane S.
Ballou of Richmond, N. H.
248. John McClary Parker, b. Sept. 17, 1S36; m. (i) Catha-
rine H. Adams, (2) Abbie H. Kimball.
Mary Elizabeth Parker, b. 1839 ; d. July 17, 1870.
100. Capt. Ephraim Parker (JVahum,^ Amos,^
Andrezu,'^ yo/in,^ Hanam'ak,^ Thomas^), son of Judge Nahum
and Mary (Deeth) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H.,
Aug. 18, 1793; m. Dec. 7, 1816, Lucy, b. June 3, 1795,
dau. of Capt. David and Ruth (Mellen) Stone of Fitzwil-
liam. He was a millwright by trade in early life, was an
excellent mechanic and made many inventions, many of them
were valuable and are still in existence, but like most inventors
made no money out of them. He was educated at New Salem
Academy in Mass., and about the time of his majority he in-
vented the machine for making and setting card teeth, which
was then mostly used for domestic use, and proved to be a
very valuable thing. He built mills in what is now called
New Boston (part of Winchendon), Mass. In a few years
he moved to the village of Fitzwilliam, where he was deputy-
sheriff for some years, also selectman, and there he worked
at his trade of millwright and through that section of the
country building many mills and becoming well known for
his ability in this direction. He taught many apprentices
the millwright trade. In 1836 or 1838 he bought a mill in
Ashby, Mass., afterwards sold and moved to Ashburnham,
Mass., still following the millwright business and speculating,
buying and selling mill property in different places. From
Ashburnham he moved to East Boston, bought a water-front
and built a dry dock. From there he moved to Richmond,
Va., after selling his dry dock, and bought the Woodruff
patent right and started a large establishment for planing
PARKER GENEALOGY. 211
boards for building purposes. These were the first planing
machines that were sent south. Later he moved his family to
Rockford, 111., but after a few months returned to Massachu-
setts and built large mills in Orange. He sold these and
bought the cotton factory in Athol, and was very instrumental
in getting the Vermont and Mass. R. R. through from Fitch-
burg to Brattleboro, Vt., holding meetings all along the line
and publicly speaking in favor of the railroad, representing
the town of Athol in the General Court in Boston. He was
often chosen as moderator at town meetings. He was a great
Biblical scholar. He was not only a man of great energy
and enterprise but an able debater on almost any subject,
especially religion and politics.
In Illinois his wife died in 1852 and was buried on the
bluffs of the Mississippi river at Rock Island. He removed
to Marlow, N. H., where his daughter, Mrs. Benjamin Cool-
idge, resided. Here he made many inventions, among which
was a machine for turning and boring bobbins at one auto-
matic operation. These machines are now in very extensive
use. On his daughter's death he came to visit his son, Alfred
A. Parker, at Orange, and in one week he had the third
paralytic shock from which he died, and was there buried.
He died Oct. 24, 1880, aged 87 years and two months. He
retained his faculties in a marked degree to the very last.
Ephraim Parker was captain of a State Military Company
at Fitzwilliam, N. H., and hence was known as Capt. Ephraim
Parker through life. He was something of a lawyer, a prom-
inent Anti-Slavery man and Washingtonian, and president of
the society. He was called a man of marked ability, always
living ahead of the times.
Their children were :
Julia Selina Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H. ; m. Benjamin
Coolidge (merchant), Dec. 22, 1S42. She d. Oct. 7, 18S0, in
Marlow, N. H., at age of 62, leaving no children.
249. Alfred A. Parker, b. in New Boston (part of Winchen-
don), Mass., in 1823; m. March 30, 1857, Frances A. Whipple
of Orange.
250. Edward Nelson Parker, b. in New Boston, in 1826 ; m.
Miss Lackland of St. Louis, Mo. He d. i8S3[?], in Missouri.
251. Charles Adams Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1833.
212 PARKER GENEALOGY.
252. Horace Milton Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1835.
253. Eliza Ann Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., in 1838; m.
Lucas C. Topping.
254. Janette Frances Parker, b. in Ashby, Mass., in 1840;
m. Marshall Thayer of Springfield.
101. Nahum Parker, Jr. (Nahum,^ Amos,^ Andrerv,^
yo/in,^ I/ana?i/a/i,^ T/io/nas^J, son of Judo-e Nahum and Mary
(Deeth) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., March 16,
1797 ; m. Bean of Nottingham, N. H. He was a
healthy child, but at the age of five years had a severe attack
of the whooping cough which left him an invalid for life. He
was a good musician and fine singer, and did much light work
during life. He had a son and dau. He d. at Plaistow, N.
H. The children lived in Manchester, N. H., and probably
moved to Plaistow.
Selina Parker (see page 112) ( Nahum ^^ Amos, ^ Andrew A
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), dau. of Judge Nahum and Mary
(Deeth) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., July 5, 1799;
m. John Damon of Fitzwilliam, son of John Damon of Gard-
ner, Mass. She lived at the southeast part of Fitzwilliam
some five years after the death of her husband, then bought
a home in the village where she resided until her death, July
2, 1888, aged 89. She left no issue.
102. Blmon Parker (JVahum,^ Amos,^ Andretv,'^ yohn^^
Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Judge Nahum and Mary (Deeth)
Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., Jan. 20, 1802; m.
Abigail M. Gray of Belfast, Me. He lived upon his father's
homestead in Fitzwilliam until of age, then became clerk in
Boston. He removed to Bangor, Me., in 1834, ^^^ ^^ ^^~
dustrious and useful man ; made a machine to saw shingles
and clapboards. He live! in York Springs for a while, then
went overland to California. He became a dentist, established
a business there and died. He had four children, two sons
and two daughters. The children did reside in Philadelphia.
103. Quincy Parker (Ebenezer,^ Thomas,'^ Andrew, '\
yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Dea. Ebenezer and
Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Lexington, April 28,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 21 3
1775 ; m. in Princeton, Patience, dau. of John Brooks, one of
the sturdy pioneers of that town. He built a house adjoining
the homestead to the east, by the side of the pond. This
house was standing until recently. After living here a num-
ber of years he finally exchanged places for his father's
farm in Rindge, N. H., where he with his family removed.
After a large family had been born to them he suffered the fate
of being badly gored by a bull. This he survived, but it
affected his constitution, causing occasional haemorrhage. A
few years afterward while standing in the front doorway, with
no particular excitement, he was taken with a haemorrhage,
which was the immediate cause of his death, which occurred
Sept. 27, 1828.
Quincy Parker was a great worker. He was a strong,
robust man and of great endurance. He possessed much
inventive talent, but which by his early death he was pre-
vented from developing. His widow removed to Providence,
R. I., where she d. May 12, 1864, aged 85 years and 11
months.
Their children were :
Thomas Parker, b. in Princeton, Sept. 28, 1801 ; d. June 3, 1802.
255. Thomas Maxwell Parker, b. in Princeton, April 26, 1S03 ;
m. Esther Luther of Swansea, Mass.
256. Joseph Brooks Parker, b. in Princeton, July 31, 1S05 ;
m. Mary Ann Morgan.
257. William Eaton Parker, b. in Princeton, June 6, 180S ; in.
probably in Columbus, O.
Priscilla Elvira Parker, b. in Princeton, April 26, 1S09.
258. Mary Parker, b. in Princeton, April 16, 181 1 ; m. William
Sweet of Providence, R. I.
QyiNCY Parker, Jr., b. in Princeton, Sept. 20, 1812; d. April 21,
1815.
259. Ira Parker, b. in Princeton, April 16, 1814; m. Maria
Haskell of Providence, R. I.
260. Eliza Parker, b. in Princeton, Oct. 20, 1815 ; m. Jonas
Hunt of Providence, R. I.
261. Sally Parker, b. in Princeton, March i, 1817; m. George
B. Thomas.
262. Artimus Parker, b. in Princeton. Feb. 22, 1S19; m. Susan
Pierce of W. Boylston.
214 PARKER GENEALOGY.
263. QuiNCY Parker, Jr., b. in Rindge, N. H., Jan. 12, 1821 ;
m. Almira Kent of Eaton, N. Y.
264. Eunice Parker, b. in Rindge, Aug. i, 1822; m. George
Herrick.
104. Betsey Parker (Ehenezer,^ Thomas,^ Andrew^''
yokn,^ Hananiah^^ Thomas'^), dau. of Dea. Ebenezer and
Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Princeton, June 8, 1777
(the first birth of the Parker family in the town) ; m. Benjamin
Gould of Princeton, native of Bolton. The deacon gave them
the farm situated west of the present homestead estate, which
was a part of the original purchase. They resided upon the
place until 1815, when they with their family removed to
Boston, where their son was janitor of the Boston City Hall.
Upon their decease each were interred in the family burying-
ground at Princeton.
Their children were :
1. Dorcas M. Gould, b. Dec. 7, 1799; m. Henry R. Goodwin.
2. Cyrus P. Gould, b. Nov. 11, 1802.
3. Erastus R. Gould, b. Feb. 20, 1S07.
4. Mary E. Gould, b. July 26, 1810.
5. Ebenezer Parker Gould, b. Oct. 14, 1812; m. April 21,
1835, Susan Goodwin, b. Jan. 15, 1S16, d. in Boston, Feb.
22, 1890. He was for about 20 years assistant janitor of Boston
City Hall. He also served time on the "old night watch"
police of Boston. He d. in Boston, Dec. 3, 1870. Children:
I. Susan W. Gould; m. Merriam. Resides in E.
Princeton.
II. Annie L. Gould ; resides in Chelsea.
III. George W. Gould; m. April 17, 1864, Lizzie I., b. in
New Bedford, June 16, 1854, dau. of William, Jr. and
Susan B. Hammond. He has been for many years
locomotive fireman, and resides at Cambridgeport. They
have had seven children and two grandchildren. He
served in the army of the U. S. in the late war.
105. Polly Parker (Ebenezer,^ Thomas,'^ Andrew,'^
Jokn,^ Hanamak,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dea. Ebenezer and
Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Princeton, May 4, 1779;
m. (i) Rufus Dodd, b. in Princeton, Feb. 22, 1773, son of
William and Anna (Child) Dodd. They removed to West-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 2l^
minster, where he was a storekeeper. The father, William
Dodd, is said to have been born in Bedford, but the records of
that town show no light. Rufus Dodd's death occurred in
Westminster, and she m. (2) Dr. Isaac Warren of Princeton,
a young and very promising physician. He died, however,
at the early age of 27, Sept. 14, 1815. The sweet memories
of Mrs. Dodd are still cherished by those who knew her well.
She was not only a kind mother but a noble wife and a digni-
fied lady. She was a conscientious and christian woman,
always particular in her teachings to her children, that they
in future years might not part from honor and righteousness.
She and her second husband, Dr. Warren, were buried in the
"homestead" graveyard. She d. Oct. 10, 1857.
Her children were :
I. Theodore Sedgwick Dodd, b. in Westminster, Oct. 28, 1S03 ;
removed to Maine; m. in Bucksport, Me., Feb. 11, 1834,
Caroline, b. April 8, 181 2, dau. of Samuel and Caroline
(Elliott) Little. They settled in Bangor, where he became
cashier of the Kenduskeag Bank, which position he held until
shortly preceding his death. During all the 45 years which
he served as cashier he performed the duties of his office in so
faithful and accurate a manner that he was held in the highest
esteem by the officers of the bank as well as by all others with
whom his business led him. He was so exceedingly accurate
that certain of those who worked with him said they never
knew him to make a mistake. At the time of his resignation
Mr. Dodd had been in office longer than any other cashier in
the State. She d. Jan. 14, 1890. Children :
I. Julia Maria Dodd, b. July 16, 1S35 ; d. April 16, 1838.
II. Mary Elizabeth Dodd, b. Dec. 18, 1837.
III. Horace Sedgwick Dodd, b. Dec. 13, 1839; "^- '" Ban-
gor, Me., Oct. 25, 1864, Emily Lucretia, b. in Bangor,
Feb. 18, 1840, dau. of Abner P. and Rebecca H. Guild.
He is a cotton broker in Boston. Children :
1. Margaret Elliot Dodd, b. in Cambridge, Dec. 8, 1S66.
2. Walter Sedgwick Dodd, b. in Cambridge, Feb. 5, i86S.
3. John Wellington Dodd, b. in Boston, March 29, 1876.
4. Rebecca Dodd, b. in Boston, May 31, 1881.
IV. Charles Bailey Dodd, b. May 26, 1848; d. Oct. zy,
1882.
V. Harry Ware Dodd, b. Oct. 18, 1849.
2l6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
2. Sarah Maria Dodd, b. in Westminster ; m. Caleb Strong
Myrick, b. in Princeton, Oct. 28, 1S02. son of Caleb and
Lydia (Gregory) Myrick. He was a well-known and popular
Princeton man. She was an excellent mother, a sincere and
faithful woman. He d. Oct. 8, 1869. Children :
I. Charles Theodore Myrick, b. in Princeton, Oct. 20,
1833; m. Nov. 20, 1858, Sarah P. Smith, b. in Prince-
ton, Feb. 5, 1832, dau. of Francis H. and Susan (Fay)
Smith, They reside in Worcester. Child :
I; Harry Strong Myrick, b. in Worcester, May 17, 1862.
II. Caroline Dodd Myrick, b. 1S36; m. in Princeton,
Edward C. Hartwell, son of Isaac and Susan Hartwell
of Princeton. They have no issue.
III. John D. Myrick, b. 1840; d, 1864. Enlisted at once
upon the call for troops in the 25th Mass. Reg. for three
months and later for three years. He was in many
battles, was finally commissioned as an officer in the
31st U. S. colored regiment. While in battle at Olustee,
near Jacksonville, Fla., he was valiantly leading his
men with all speed possible and was singled out as a
target for a sharpshooter. He was hit three times. One
ball struck his watch, completely destroying it, but which
did him no harm, another lodged in his shoulder, while
the third was more serious. He died of his wounds
soon after at Hilton Head, S. C. His name is patrioti-
cally inscribed on Worcester's beautiful soldiers' monu-
ment. His sword and watch are still in preservation in
the Myrick family.
IV. Mary W. Myrick; d. Sept. 30, 1869, unm.
3. Julia Dodd, b. in Westminster ; m. in Princeton, Horace Ever-
ett. They removed to Charlestown and had five children :
I. Mary Everett ; d. 1855.
II. RuFUS Everett, who removed to Leavenworth, Kan.
HI. Fannie Everett, who m. Edward Sawyer and settled in
Newton.
IV. Stanwood Everett, a doctor in Boston.
V. Julia Everett, who m. and went to Nova Scotia.
4. Rosaline Warren, b. in Princeton ; m. Foster. They
reside in Fitchburg.
5. Isaac Warren, Jr., b. in Princeton, Aug. 9, 1S15 ; m. He d.
in Bernardston, April 7, 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 2l'J
106. Lucy Parker (Bdenezer,^ Thomas,^ Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hafianiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dea. Ebenezer and
Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Princeton, March ii,
1781 ; bap. in Lexington, July 22, 1781. Her intention of
marriage, to Mr. Jonas Beaman, as entered upon the Prince-
ton records, previous to publishing, bears date of Jan. 25,
1801. He was then a resident of Princeton ; b. in Lancaster,
Dec. 25, 1778, eldest son of Jonas and Rebecca (Whitcomb)
Beaman. They removed to Camden, Me., where he pursued
the trade of leather tanning. He d. Oct. 3, 1807, leaving two
children. She m. (2) in 1809, Edward Hanford of Camden,
Me., as his first wife. Locke in his History of Camden says :
"Major Edward Hanford was born, it is believed, in Norwalk,
Conn, (about 1775). He came to Camden about the year 1806, and
being a hatter worked at his trade. He afterwards went into trade.
"In time of the last war [of 1S12] he was made a Lieut, and after
peace was proclaimed he was promoted to the rank of Major, by
which title everybody knew him. He was selectman one year and
town clerk four years, and occupied other town offices.
"Affected with a disease of the heart it is supposed it induced the
quietude of manner he evinced during the last score years of his life.
However, he was, during all this time, in a store as proprietor, man-
ager or clerk. He died in Belfast at the house of L. R. Palmer,
Esq., his son-in-law. May 3, 1851, aged 76 years."
Her children were :
I. Edwin Beaman, b. in Princeton, Aug. 27, 1801 ; m. Sept. 28,
1829, Sarah, dau. of Moses Patten of Bangor, Me. He early
entered into business and connected himself with the towns of
Freedom, Camden, Bucksport and Brooks, where in 1829 he
removed his store to the Head of the Tide. Removing to Bel-
fast he, in company with Daniel Merrill, occupied the present
store of A. D. Chase. In 1842 he removed to the present
store of Augustus Perry, the two forming the firm of Beaman
& Perry, which existed for 12 years. From that time Mr,
Beaman was in business alone to the day of his death, which
occurred March 30, 1880, a period of 54 years, making him
the oldest trader in Belfast. He was an original incorporator
of the Belfast Bank. He was a consistent and worthy mem-
ber of the Congregational Church of Belfast since 1835, and
for a large portion of the time held the office of deacon. Mr.
2l8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Beaman was held in high respect by his fellow-citizens and
died greatly lamented by a large circle of friends acquired dur-
ing his long and busy life. He left no children save an
adopted daughter. His widow survives him.
2. Jonas Beaman, Jr., b. May 17, 1805; m. (i) Dec. 31, 1833,
Martha M. Cook ; she d. Jan. 3, 1859, and he m. (2) Sept.
7, 1859, Mary Weld of Sturbridge, whose home was very near
the Brimfield line, and was a member of the Church at Brim-
field. He settled in Hadley where he owned and worked a
small farm ; at about 1S65 he moved to Princeton, taking a
farm and there he died. Children :
I. Lucy Beaman, now the wife of a physician in Black
Rock, N. Y., if living.
II. Edwin (.?) Beaman.
III. DwiGHT Beaman.
IV. Jonas Beaman, Jr.
3. Mary P. D. Hanford, b. in Camden, Me., April 3, 1810; m.
Dec. 25, 1849, Lemuel R. Palmer as his second wife, he
having previously m. her sister Susannah. Their son was :
I. Joseph H. Palmer, b. Nov. 22, 1850.
4. Susannah R. Hanford, b. June 17, 1812; m. Dec. 17, 1832,
Lemuel R. Palmer. He was a ship carpenter, learning his
trade in Camden. She d. Aug. 14, 1849, ^'^^ ^^ ^" May 3,
1879. Children:
I. Rev. Edwin Beaman Palmer, b. Sept. 25, 1833 ; m.
Thurza M. Field, native of Brunswick, Me. He is con-
nected with the Congregationalist House in Boston.
II. Susan Maria Palmer, b. Sept. 7, 1835 ; m. James M,
Craig, native of Windsor, N. S. They reside in Belfast.
III, Mary Eliza Palmer, b. Sept. 11, 1837; m. George F.
Smith, native of Searsport, Me.
IV. DwiGHT Parker Palmer, b. Sept. 13, 1839; ^' Sept. 2,
1841.
V. DwiGHT Parker Palmer, b. March 31, 1843 ; m. Mary
E. Patterson of Belfast, Me.
VI. Lucy A. E. Palmer, b. May 19, 1845.
5. Lucy A. Hanford, b. May 19, 1814 ; m. Dec. 7, 1835, Nathan-
iel T. Eaton, sea-captain. He followed the sea until the last
few years of his life, when he became a farmer in Camden.
She d. Dec. 24, 1852, and he m. (2) Miss Nancy Heal, dau.
of Peter and Eunice Heal of Camden. He d. May 25, 1870.
His widow resides in Camden. Children :
o
w
<
o
h
W
U
2
K
PARKER GENEALOGY. 219
1. Adella Frances Eaton, b. Oct. 31, 1836; d. May 17,
1838.
II. Edward Hanford Eaton, b. May 27, 1840; m. 18S6,
Susan Sparling of Boston. They reside in Worcester.
III. Lucy Hanford Eaton, b. Dec. 27, 1844; d. Aug. 27,
1858.
IV. Frank Chaplin Eaton, who resides in Worcester.
107. Ebenezer Parker, Jr. (Ebenezer,^ Thomas,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiak,^ Thomas^), son of Dea. Ebenezer
and Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Princeton, June 4,
1784 ; intention of marriage entered for publication on Jan. 4,
1806: m. at age of 22, Feb. 27, 1806, Hannah B., b. in Con-
cord, Mass., March 11, 1785, dau. of Capt. Amos and Deborah
(Brooks) Merriam of Concord, who were m. in Lincoln, it
being Deborah's native town, on Christmas Day, 1783. Han-
nah Brooks Merriam was thus first in a family of ten children.
The father, Capt. Amos Merriam, d. Sept. 16, 1804, aged 44,
and his widow m. (2) Stephen Mirick, who d. May 20, 1827.
Deborah (Merriam) Mirick, d. Nov. 10, 1844. Ebenezer
Parker remained upon the homestead until 1818, when he
took up the place now known as the Princeton Poor Farm.
This was a part of the original estate and but a short distance
northeasterly from his old home. He was both a farmer and
clothier. In his shop, at the outlet of the pond, he did a good
business in coloring and smoothing. His customers were
numerous and many came long distances with a year's supply
of home-spun cloth at one time. After the destruction of the
old homestead brick house by fire during the winter of 1835
he assumed charge of his father's estate. He then spent a
few years in Ware; returning, he in company with his son,
Frederick Parker, built upon the homestead site, the house
now standing, it being the third built upon the site since 1777.
What remained of the old farm after Deacon Parker's grants
to his children and the many sales, was again improved with
fresh vigor.
Ebenezer Parker was a man of sound intellect and of a
strong, unimpeachable character. He was a very firm minded
man and a conscientious citizen. He was chosen selectman
in 1829. His district for the years of 1741, '42 and '43 elected
220 PARKER GENEALOGY.
him representative to the State Legislature. In personal ap-
pearance he was taller than his father, but inherited a strong
and vigorous constitution. At the age of 75 his tall and manly
figure stood firm and erect. He lived to the age of 85 years
and 4 months, dying Oct. 25, 1869. He was an active mem-
ber of the Church in Princeton.
The wife Hannah will be long remembered by the family.
She was a loving mother, a perfect housekeeper and was
blessed with a very attractive disposition. Her temperament
was very calm, she was less nervous than Mr. Parker, and
looked upon the difficulties of life in a more philosophical way.
She lived happily and long, dying Aug. 31, 1876, at the age
of 91 years, 5 months and 20 days.
Their children were :
265. Louisa Parker, b. Dec. 13, 1806 ; m. Eli Walker of Holden.
266. Charles Augustus Parker, b. Aug. 18, 1808 ; m. Sylvia
A. Moore.
267. Frederick Parker, b. June 19, 1810; m. Eunice C. Howe
of Princeton.
268. Ebenezer Warren Parker, b. Oct. 28, 1813 ; m. Chloe
A. Parmenter of Oakham.
269. Adaline Parker, b. Oct. 24, 1815 ; m. Stephen ^
H. Smith of West Boylston. 1
270. Amos Parker, b. Oct. 24, 1815 ; m. Sarah Mer- f Twins,
rill of Beverly. J
271. George Parker, b. Feb. i, 1818 ; m. Emily R. •^
Coller of Northfield. [ Twins.
Child, unnamed, b. and d. Feb. i, 1818. J
272. Deborah Meriam Parker, b. Sept. 9, 1819; m. Israel
Howe of Princeton.
273. William Wheeler Parker, b. March 2, 1824; m. Emily
Walker of Holden.
274. Edward Hanford Parker, b. Dec. 28, 1825 ; m. Mary C.
Brown of Boylston.
Lucy Maria Parker, b. Sept. 10, 1828 ; d. March 7, 1829.
108. Bitha Parker ( Ebenezer ^^ Thomas ^^ Andrew ^'^
yohn,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), dau. of Dea. Ebenezer and
Dorcas (Monroe) Parker, was b. in Princeton, July 26, 1786;
m. Oct. 26, 1809, Capt. Charles Folger of Camden, Me., b.
in Waldoborough, Me., Jan., 1780. They lived at Camden
PARKER GENEALOGY.
221
Ebenezer Parker, Jr.
Mrs. Hannah B. (Merriam) Parker.
222 PARKER GENEALOGY.
for several years, Capt. Folger pursuing his marine vocation.
Coming to Princeton they settled first upon the homestead
place, then upon the farm shortly before occupied by Benjamin
and Betsey (Parker) Gould. This is now the Brennan place.
They resided there until his death, which occurred in Oct.,
1857. She removed to Marlborough, and d. Nov., 187 1.
Their children were :
1. Charles Augustus Folger, b. in Camden, Me., Jan. 16,
181 1 ; m. in Buffalo, N. Y., Feb. 16, i860, Louisa, b. in
London, England, Nov. 13, 1839, dau. of James and
(Potter) Baker of England. He was a merchant in Lockport,
N. Y. He d. Nov. 28, 1873. Their children were b. in
Lockport, N. Y. :
I. Charles Edward Folger, b. Dec. iS, i860.
II. Emma Louise Folger, b. Feb. 33, 1S63.
III. Hattie Elizabeth Folger, b. Sept. 6, 1866.
2. John Walter Folger, b. in Camden, Feb. 8, 1813.
3. George Francis Folger, b. in Camden, July 15, 1815 ; m.
Jan. 28, 1850, Eliza A., b. Sept. 14, 1825, dau. of Isaac and
Susan (Davis) Hartwell of Princeton. They resided in
Princeton, where he was a farmer. He d. March 14, 1881,
and his widow survives. She resides in Worcester.
4. Henry Edward Folger, b. in Princeton, May 23, 1820; m.
(i) Louisa, dau. of Stillman and Susan (Beaman) Everett of
Princeton.
5. Lucy Jane Folger, b. in Princeton, Aug. 23, 1825 ; m. May
II, 1843, Phineas Ross, b. in Sterling, Sept. 20, 18 17, son
of Amos and Hepsibeth (Bennett) Ross. He d. in Princeton.
Oct. 18, 1867. She resides in Worcester. Children:
I. Ellen Jane Ross, b. April 20, 1844; m. March 12,
1868, Staysia, b. Aug. 25, 1843, son of Charles and
Mary J. (Seaver) Harrington. They reside upon the
old Jonas Smith place in Princeton.
II. Theodore Austin Ross, b. Feb. 28, 1S49; d. Aug. 5,
1859.
III. Charles Thurston Ross, b. May 12, 1854. Resides in
Worcester ; organ maker.
6. Catharine Long Folger, b. in Princeton, Oct. 10, 1828 ; m.
Jan. 29, 185 1, Erastus, son of James and Ruthalia (Carter)
Dart of Moncton, Vt. They resided many years in Marlbor-
PARKER GENEALOGY.
223
ough. Their dau., Alice Josephine Dart, d. at the age of six
years. Mr. Dart d. in Marlborough, Oct. 28, 1872. She now
resides with her sister in Worcester.
109. Josiah Parker, Jr. (Josiak,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
yohn,^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), son of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah
(Gardner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Nov. 6, 1774; m.
Sept. 6, 1807, Abigail Carter, b. in Woburn, Sept. 15, 1781,
dau. of Simon and Susanna Carter of Woburn, and by whom
nine of his children were born. Removed to Wilton, N. H.,
where she d. Sept. 8, 1836, and he m. (2) in Woburn, Feb.
15, 1883, Mrs. Betsey S. (Eames) Converse of Woburn, by
whom his last two children were born. He d. in Wilton, N.
H., Nov. 29, 1852. She d. in Woburn, Dec. 3, 1881, aged
81 years, 3 months.
His children were :
275. Abigail Manning Parker, b. in Woburn, Jan. 6, 1808 ; m.
James Burton.
276. Susan Richardson Parker, b. in Woburn, May 26, 1809 ;
m. Lyman Stone.
277. Hannah Gardner Parker, b. in Woburn, Feb. 23, 181 1 ;
m. Jonathan Snow, after the decease of her sister Lydia.
278. Lydia Ann Parker, b. in Woburn, Aug. 5, 1813 ; m.
Jonathan Snow.
279. John Flagg Parker, b. in Woburn, Dec. 27, 1815 ; m.
Martha J. Jones.
280. Josiah Parker, b. in Wilton, N. H., April 10, 1S19 ; m.
Nancy M. Wyman.
281. Andrew Jackson Parker, b. in Wilton, N. H., May 26,
1821 ; m. Abbie A. Tapley.
Maria Louisa Parker, b. in Wilton, N. H., Oct. 24, 1823; m.
Samuel R. Dolliver, who was b. in Marblehead. They reside in
San Francisco, Cal. No issue.
Abram Parker, b. in Wilton, N. H,, June 21, 1S26; d. Aug. 8,
1832.
282. Albert Parker, b. in Wilton, N. H., April 12, 1839; '""•
Eliza H. Sawyer.
George Parker, b. March 2, d. March 24, 1841.
110. Henry Parker (Josiah,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah (Gard-
ner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, July 2, 1777 ; m. by the
224 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Rev. Mr. Fiske of W. Cambridge, May 28, 1807, Abigail
Hutchinson, b. Sept. 10, 1782, dau. of John Hutchinson of
Charlestown. She was the sixth in generation in descent
from George Hutchinson, Esq., who was an inhabitant of
Charlestown in 1630, the line being thus: Abigail,^ Johns
(whose second wife was Mary Fox), Thomas* of Cambridge
(whose wife was Mary Ireland, dau. of Abraham Ireland
and wife Abigail Greenland, both of Charlestown), Samuel 3
(whose wife was Sarah Fascitt), Nathaniel^ (who m. Sarah
Baker), and George," the emigrant ancestor. She d. Aug. 17,
1876, aged 94 years and 9 months. He was a highly esteemed
citizen, representing the town in the Legislature in the year
1839. He resided on the "West Side." He d. in Woburn,
Feb. 7, 1862, aged 84 years, 7 months.
Their children were :
283. Oliver Hutchinson Parker, b. June 20, 1808 ; m. Patty
Parker of Woburn (his cousin).
284. Martha Parker, b. Aug. 17, iSii ; m. Charles Choate of
Woburn.
285. Abigail Parker, b. March 26, 1814; m. William Winn of
Burlington.
286. Louisa Parker, b. Dec. 14, 1816; m. John Weston of
Woburn.
287. Maria Parker, b. July 5, 1819; m. George Winn of Bur-
lington.
111. Hannah Parker (Josiah,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah
(Gardner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, March 19, 1779; m.
April 28, 1808, Abel Richardson, b. Aug. i, 1777. His
father, Abel Richardson, was a tanner and shoemaker in
Winchester, and his mother was Ann Tufts. He was known
as Abel the fourth. He passed his life in Woburn, where he
d. Jan. 5, 1854, in his 74th year. She d. in Woburn, Dec.
22, 1855, aged 76 years, 9 months. They had no children.
112. Polly ^2ir\i&V (Jos/ah,^ Josiah, ^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Josiah. Jr., and Hannah (Gard-
ner) Parker, was b. in Woburn; m. in Woburn, June 11,
1807, Caleb Richardson.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 225
Their children were ;
1. Joshua Richardson, b. Feb. 25, 1808; unm.
2. Mary Parker Richardson, b. May 20, 181 1 ; d. unm.
3. Caleb Richardson, Jr., b. July 27, 1814 ; m. Jan., 1S45, Amy
Patience Taylor. She d. April, 1847. Child :
I. Granville Eustace Richardson, b. Nov. 21, 1845 ; m.
Dec. 27, 1881, Susan M. Dean. Their son was:
I. Frederick Wade Richardson, b. Nov. 27, 1882.
4. Abigail Richardson, b. May 28, 1817 ; m. July 8, 1847, Josiah
Stratton of Woburn, son of Josiah and Sarah Stratton, b. in
Woburn. She was b., named and lived nearly all her life in
the same house, which fronts the main street between Woburn
and Winchester at a very enviable location. It was the old
Caleb Richardson homestead. She lived in the old house 70
years, her entire life, with the exception of one year at the
time of her marriage. She d. July 16, 18S8, aged 71 years.
At the opening of the War of the Rebellion Josiah Stratton
enlisted from Woburn in Co. F of Hon. Henry Wilson's 22nd
Mass. Reg. He was of a military spirit, had always belonged
to the military companies of the town and proved himself to
be a brave and true soldier. He was 44 years of age at his
enlistment, which was much higher than the average, but he
was a steady soldier upon the march and walked with a firm
and manly carriage. He soon became Sergeant of the Co.
The historian of the 22nd Reg., John L. Parker of Lynn,
announces that he saw " Si Stratton, as he was familiarly
called, June 22, 1862, upon the battle field of Gaines' Mills,
Va., bravely fighting." This was the second of the famous
Seven Days' Battles, and in this engagement, the Sergeant,
who occupied a conspicuous and dangerous place, was the first
to give the alarm to his Reg. that the "Rebs" were flanking
them. His timely warning saved great loss to his company
and perhaps his regiment. _ After this battle nothing more was
ever heard of him. The State Records read : ^'-Josiah Strat-
ton^ s seriHce terminated y?cne 22^ 1862; caused by death
while in Battle at Gaines" Mills" Children :
I. George Gardner Stratton, b. Jan. 16, 1849; '^- Dec.
20, 1876, Florence Leila Carter of Winchester, who d.
upon the birth of their son, Oct. 2, 1877. He resides
in Winchester, where he maintains his mother's old
Richardson homestead. Child :
I. Roscoe Carter Stratton, b. Oct. 2, 1877; d. July 12, 1878.
II. Josiah Francis Stratton, b. Dec. 16, 1851 ; unm.
15
226 PARKER GENEALOGY.
113. Electa Parker (Josiak,^ Josiak,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah (Gard-
ner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, May 4, 1794 ; m. Feb. 16,
1813, Samuel Carter Buckman, the son of Samuel and Sarah
(Cutter) Buckman of Woburn, and b. in Woburn, Nov. 10,
1789. He was a farmer and they lived in that part of Woburn
which is now Winchester.
Their children were :
1. Samuel Carter Buckman, Jr., b. July 29, 1813. He is a
wheelwright in Arlington, where he resides unm.
2. Electa Parker Buckman, b. May 16, i8[5; m. Nathaniel
Hill of Arlington. They had one child who d. young. She
d. May 4, 1852.
3. James S. Buckman, b. Jan. 27, and d. April 11, 1819.
4. Lydia Ann Buckman, b. June 4, 1828 ; d. Aug. 28, 1877, unm.
1 14. Betsey 'PSiV\iG.V ( yosiah,^ 'Josiahy> Josiah,'^ "John^i
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah (Gard-
ner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, March i, 1796; m. in
Woburn, Dec. 29, 1825, Jonathan Baldwin, b. April 7, 1798,
son of Reuben and Sarah Baldwin. He was a shoemaker and
d. Jan. II, 1881.
Their children were :
1. James Baldwin, b. Aug. 23, 1827; d. about Nov. i, 1851, at
Havana, Cuba, on his passage to California to try his fortune
in the mines.
2. Marah Louise Baldwin, b. May 6, 1830; m. in Burlington,
John Winn, b. July 3, 1828, son of Abel and Lydia Stearns
(Lovering) Winn. He represented his town for one year in
the State Legislature. She d. Oct. 11, 1852. He is a farmer in
Burlington. Child :
I. Marah Winn, b. June 13, 1852 ; m. in Woburn, Oct. 4,
1886, Frank Murray Pushee, b. in Lyme, N. H., March
12, 1844, ^'^'^ of Sylvester and vSarah (Emerton) Pushee.
He is a farmer. They reside in Woburn. Child :
I. Harold Baldwin Pushee, b. Jan. i6, 1890.
115. Frederick Parker (Josiah,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,'^'
yohn,i Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Josiah, Jr., and Hannah
(Gardner) Parker, was b. in Woburn, July 20, 1798; m.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 227
April 13, 1826, Nabby Thompson, sister of Gen. Thompson
of Woburn. She was b. Jan. 20, 1803, the dau. of Major
Abijah and Lydia Thompson. Frederick Parker succeeded
to his father's homestead in the west part of the town, where
he lived until shortly before his death. He was a farmer, a
hard working man ; was very orderly, he had a place for
everything and everything must be in its place. He was
once drawn juror and held at various times such town offices
as school committee and street surveyor. He d. in Woburn,
June 24, 1853, aged 54 years, 10 months. She d. March 31,
1879, ^ged 76 years.
Their children were :
Lydia Thompson Parker, b. June 11, 1827; d. Dec. 14, 1847.
288. Frederick Chandler Parker, b. Jan. 16, 1829; m. M.
Affie Hanson.
JosiAH Parker, b. Aug. 18, 1S30; d. Feb. 25, 1832.
289. JosiAH Parker, b. Oct. 25, 1832; m. Sarah B. ^
Hanson. —, .
V L wins.
290. Hannah Maria Parker, b. Oct. 25, 1832 ; m. [
Walter Wellington. J
291. Betsey Fidelia Parker, b. June 7, 1836; m. George
Russell of Somerville.
292. Martha Ann Parker, b. May 24, 1841 ; m. Joseph B.
McDonald.
116. Benjamin Parker, Jr. (Benjamin,^ Jostah,^
yostak,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Benjamin and
Mehetable (Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Aug. 26, 1780.
He m. 1801, Sally Allen, b. in Lincoln, Feb., 1780, the dau.
of Phineas and Sally (Danforth) Allen. He removed after
marriage to Fitchburg, where two of his children were born
and removed afterwards to Harvard. Benjamin Parker was
of medium height, had black hair and blue eyes and was
called very handsome. But his life was short, as he died sud-
denly of bilious fever in the summer of 1806. He was a tan-
ner and currier. She d. in Harvard, April 26, 1866, aged 86
years.
Their children were :
Sally Parker, b. Oct. 20, iSoi ; m. Sylvanus Jorden of Roxbury.
He was a shoe manufacturer. She d. March, 183 1, aged 29 years.
He m. again.
228 PARKER GENEALOGY.
293. Dorothy Flagg Parker, b. Jan. 2, 1804; m. Ephraim
Barnard of Harvard.
294. Mehetable Parker, b. March 17, 1806; m. Jan. 19, 1830,
Thomas Cummings of HoUis, N. H.
117. Dea. Joseph 'P9lV]^&v( Benjamin,^ Josiah,^ Josiah^'^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Benjamin and Mehetable
(Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, June 8, 1782 ; m. Dec.
30, 1805, Betsey Richardson, b. Sept., 1788, the dau. of
Josiah and Relief Richardson. For some time before his
marriage he was connected with Tewksbury and was a resi-
dent of that town in 1805. He lived upon the West Side, was
a shoemaker, a business in which many of his Woburn rela-
tives became associated. He was blessed with a strong phy-
sique and was a highly respected citizen. He was very
attentive to his family and a consistent christian. He was
connected with the Church in Woburn, being a Universalist
deacon. In the second burial-ground is his grave and grave-
stone epitaph which reads :
"In Memory of Dea. Joseph Parker, ,
who died Jan. 10, 1833, J£,\. 51.
" Blest is the man whose tender care
Relieves the poor in their distress,
Whose pity wipes the widow's tear.
Whose hand supports the fatherless.
We hear thy groans with deep surprise
And view thy wounds with weeping eyes.
Each bleeding wound, each dying groan
With anguish filled with pains unknown."
His widow Betsey d. in Woburn "of cholera,"* Sept. 21,
1855, aged 68 years and 10 months, thus she was b. in Sept.,
1788.
Their children were :
Eliza Richardson Parker, b. Aug. 27, 1808; m. Warren Fox of
Woburn.
Nathan Parker, b. Oct. 7, 1809; resides in Woburn, unm.
Mary Leathe Parker, b. March 10, 181 1 ; m, in Woburn, May
39, 1828, Samuel Butters of Woburn. They had a dau. Mary
♦Town records.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 229
Isabell Butters, who d. of consumption, Dec. 20, i860, aged 22
years, 7 months. The mother, Mary L. (Parker) Butters, d. Sept.
I, 1867, aged 56 years, 5 months.
Patty Parker, b. Oct. 12, 1812 ; m. March 4, 1834, Oliver H.
Parker of Woburn. (See No. 283, page 224.)
295. Joseph Addison Parker, b. July 7, 1815 ; m. (i) Rebecca
J. Cutler of Woburn, (2) Emily Huse of Woburn.
296. Ann Parker, b. Oct. 23, 1816 ; m. Elijah Marion of Burling-
ton.
297. Benjamin Parker, b. Jan. 25, 1820; m. Mary Waite of
Woburn.
Ruth Parker; d. 1874, unm.
118. Samuel Parker (Benjamin,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
John,i Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Benjamin and Mehetable
(Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Dec. 23, 1784 : m. in
Fitchburg, 1804, Lydia Thurston Allen, b. in Fitchburg,
Aug. 28, 1785, dau. of Phineas and Dorothy (Wooley) Allen
of Lincoln. She was the oldest child of a third wife, and
upon her birth was given to her aunt, Mrs. Thurston of Fitch-
burg, in whose house she was born. She always lived with
her aunt's people, who had no children of their own. When
married to Samuel Parker the ceremony was conducted in the
same room in which she was born. Here they lived for 16
years and here in the same noted room were the seven chil-
dren born. Finally removing (May 3, 1820) to Chenango
Co., N. Y. They settled in the town of Otselic, where five
more children were born to them. Samuel Parker was a joiner.
In Fitchburg he was constable and collector. He belonged to
the Fitchburg military company during the time of the War of
181 2, but this company was not called out. He d. in Belvi-
dere, Boone Co., 111., Aug. 29, 1846. She d. Aug. 26, 1865.
Their children were :
298. Samuel Thurston Parker, b. in Fitchburg, June 11, 1805 ;
m. Mary Bates.
Benjamin Allen Parker, b. in Fitchburg, Dec. 31, 1806. He
removed west. He m. and had children : Thomas A. Parker,
Hosea Parker, and others.
299. LvDiA LucRETiA Parker, b. in Fitchburg, Oct. 4, 1808;
m. William R. Orvis.
230 PARKER GENEALOGY.
John Thomas Parker, b. in Fitchburg, Oct. 27, 1810; removed
with family to Otselic, N. Y. ; m. Eunice Lindsay, b. in Milford,
N. Y., Sept. 3, 1813, dau. of David and Jemime (Crane) Lind-
say. He resides in Belvidere, Boon Co., III.
Martha Ann Parker, b. in Fitchburg, Dec. 33, 1812; d. Dec.
25, 1812.
300. Charlotte Elmira Parker, b. in Fitchburg, June 8, 1814 ;
m. William Wilbur.
Harriet Emeline Parker, b. in Fitchburg, June 18, 1816; m.
Miles. Children : Francis E. Miles, George B. Miles, and
perhaps others.
301. Francis Edwin Parker, b. in Fitchburg, May 3, 1819; m.
Amanda M. Lindsay.
Joseph Henry Parker, b. in Otselic, N. V., July 19, 1821 ; d.
July 3, 1825.
302. Abigail Elizabeth Parker, b. in Otselic, June 11, 1823;
m. Dr. G. E. Lawrence.
303. Ann Maria Parker, b. in Otselic, Feb. 25, 1825; m.
William Stover Wilcox of Smyrna, N. Y.
Mary Adaline Parker, b. in Otselic, Oct. 5, 1827 ; d. at age of 16.
Dorothy Caroline Parker, b. in Otselic, Aug. 3, 1832 ; m.
Wegors, and had a dau., now Caroline (Wegors) Reed. The
family reside in Herbert, Boon Co., 111.
119. Mehetable Parker (Benjamin,^ Jostak,^ Josiak,^
yohn,^ Hanaiiiah,'^ T/i07nas'), son of Benjamin and Mehetable
(Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Oct. 23, 1786; m. in
Woburn, Nov. 8, 1810, Major Francis Johnson, the son of
Francis and Abigail (Brooks) Johnson of Woburn. He be-
longed to the mditary company of the town and had the title of
Major, by which he was known. His brother was Nathan
Johnson, who m. a sister of Mehetable Parker, and who also
lived in Winchester, then Woburn. He was a blacksmith
and d. of numb palsy, Nov. 16, 1846, aged 75 years.
Their children were :
I. Francis Johnson, b. April 18, 1S13 ; m. June 7, 1839, Elizabeth
Monroe of Lexington. They were fourth cousins. From
page 75 her ancient Monroe and Parker ancestry can be traced.
They lived in Woburn, now Winchester. He was a black-
smith. He d. in Winchester, June 16, 1876. She resides in
Lexington. Child :
BARKER GENEALOGV. 23I
1. Elizabeth Johnson, b. in Winchester, Sept. 19, 1841 ;
resides in Lexington.
2. Betsey Johnson, b. Aug. 15, 1815 ; m. in S. Woburn (now
Winchester), May 19, 1S36, Samuel Martin Rice of Nahant,
son of Jesse and Sally (Colman) Rice. They lived in Lynn
and Winchester. He was a merchant and selectman. She d.
in Winchester, April, 1856. He d. in Worcester, 1869, aged
54. Children :
I. Sarah Elizabeth Rice, b. in Lynn, March 7, 1837 ? "^•
Henry C. Whitten of Winchester, and they have had six
children.
II. Ellen Louise Rice, b. in Woburn, Dec. 3, 1839; "^^
Albert Lane of Winchester. They have had four chil-
dren.
III. Charles Cushing Rice, b. in Woburn, Oct. 6, 1842 ;
m. He went to Chicago, 111., in 1866, and 1888 settled
upon a ranch in Martinsdale, Mont., where he now
resides.
IV. Frank Inman Rice, b. in Winchester, Sept. 6, 1851 ; d.
in Chicago, 111., Feb., 1875.
3. Mehetable Johnson, b. Oct. 23, 1824; m. Hon. Robert C.
Cristy of Johnson, Vt., whose occupation is farming, but has
been also selectman, assessor, representative. State Senator and
county commissioner. They reside in Johnson, Vt., and have
one son :
I. Charles Clark Cristy.
4. Warren Johnson, b. Aug. 27, 1827 ; m. (i) Hannah Caroline,
b. in Winchester, Feb. 15, 1830, d. April 21, 1882, dau. of
Marshall Wyman and wife Susanna Parker, the dau. of Nathan
Parker of Woburn. He m. (2) Oct. 8, 1885, Agnes, b. in
Winchester, Aug. 27, 1843, dau. of William and Judith M.
(Barker) Wescott of Winchester. Mr. Johnson has been
selectman seven years and assessor four years. He resides in
Winchester. Child :
1. Mary Agnes Johnson, b. Oct. 8, 1863 ; d. May 15, 1881.
Patty Parker (see page 144) (Benjamin,^ Josiah^^
yos/'ah,^ yo/in^i Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), dau. of Benjamin and
Mehetable (Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, June 11, 1789;
d. Nov. 14, 181 1, aged 22. Gravestone epitaph :
232 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Sacred to the Memory of
Miss Patty Parker Dautr. of
Mr. Benjamin & Mrs. Mehetabel Parker
Who died Nov. 14, 181 1, -^t 22.
"Taught in the Schools of Christ with Humble Mind
She breathed her last and left the world resigned.
Tis His to call our relations away,
Tis ours in sweet submission to obey."
120. Almira Parker (Benjamin,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas,^), dau. of Benjamin and Meheta-
ble (Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Sept. 20, 1790; m. in
Woburn, Nov. 2, 1819, Nathan Brooks Johnson, brother of
Francis and son of Francis and Abigail (Brooks) Johnson of
Woburn. He was a blacksmith and lived in Woburn, in the
part which is now Winchester. He was deacon and select-
man and d. June 28, 1871. She d. Jan. 12, 1879.
The children were all b. in Woburn :
1. Almira Johnson, b. July 26, 1821 ; m. in Woburn, Sept. 19,
1844, Stephen Hall Cutter of Woburn, b. in S. Woburn, April
4, 1821, son of Stephen and Adeline (Wyman) Cutter. He
is a lumber dealer and resides in Winchester. She d. Oct.
5, 1881. Child:
I. Arthur Henry Cutter, b. Dec. 31, 1849; ^- ^^'* 7'
1851.
2. Mary Johnson, b. Jan. 26, 1823 ; resides in W. Medford, unm.
3. Harriett Newall Johnson, b. Oct. 4, 1829; d. Sept. 23,
1858, unm.
4. Edward Payson Johnson, b. Dec. 4, 1837 ; m. in Winthrop,
June I, 1865, Eliza S. Long, b. in Plymouth, Vt., July 29,
1840, dau. of Daniel and Eliza (Shewell) Long, both natives
of Hartford Co., Maryland. He was a manufacturer of sad-
dlery hardware. Resided in Montpelier, Vt. Child :
I. Alfred Edward Cutter Johnson, b. in Montpelier,
Sept. 29, 1882.
The family were all together in a summer sojourn to the Vine-
yard and reiurned in the fatal car from which few lives escaped
in the memorable railroad accident at Quincy, Mass., Aug. 19,
1890. Mr. and Mrs. Johnson were immediately killed and the
son only lingered for a few hours, dying at the Quincy hospi-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 233
tal. The family were well known and very highly respected
in Montpelier, and their untimely and terrible death in this
manner was a shock to their many friends, which is better
imagined than described. The family were the only living
descendants of Almira Parker and Nathan B. Johnson of
Woburn. Thus this branch of the Parker- Johnson families
became extinct. F. J. Johnson of Montpelier, a relative who
accompanied the family on their summer trip, was also killed.
5. Martha Ann Johnson, b. Nov. 14, 1841 ; d. Jan. 6, 1878, unm.
121. Anna Parker (Benjamin ,^ yosiah,^ Josiah ,4 "John,^
Hananiah,^ Z%o;««5'j, son of Benjamin and Mehetable (Tidd)
Parker, was b. in Woburn, Sept. 9, 1791 ; m. in Woburn,
March 14, 181 1, Joshua Swan Robbins of W. Cambridge,
now Lexington. He was b. May 25, 1785, third child of a
family of 15 children, the parents being Philemon and Sarah
Swan Robbins of Lexington. He lived in Arlington ; was a
beef and poultry raiser; d. in Lexington, Aug. 3, 1817, where
he is buried. She d. in Woburn while upon a visit to her
father, July 30, 1814, aged 23 years.
Their children were :
I. John Robbins, b. Aug. 3, i8ri. After the early decease of his
parents he went to live in the family of Dea. Joseph Parker of
Woburn, his uncle, and there grew up as one of the family,
becoming strongly attached to them. He m. Susan Allen
Simonds, b. in Hillsborough, N. H., April i, 1819, dau. of
Daniel and Susan (White) Simonds. They reside in Woburn.
Children :
I. John William Robbins, b. Nov. 26, 1837; shoemaker
and musician; m. Mary S., dau. of Haskell and Mary
(Dean) Bancroft of Woburn. He has three children :
1. Mary Alice Robbins; resides in Woburn.
2. William Byron Robbins; resides in Woburn.
3. Ida Robbins; resides in Woburn.
II. Charlotte Ann Robbins, b. June 19, 1840; m. Joseph
J. Knox of New Hampshire. He is a carpenter. They
reside in Woburn and have children :
1. Lottie Lillian Knox.
2. Walter Knox.
3. Ethel Knox.
III. Frank Harvey Robbins, b. Jan. 10, 1849; m. Laura P.
Weston, dau. of Asa Weston of S. Boston. He is
234
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Assistant Bond Clerk, U. S. Custom House, Boston.
They have children :
1. Cora May Robbins.
2. Susie White Robbins.
3. Bertha Phebe Robbins.
4. Florence Robbins.
IV. Fred Swan Robbins, b. Feb. 3, 1858 ; unm. ; is a musi-
cian at the Boston Theatre.
2, Anna Robbins, b. in 1813 ; d. at age of 5 years, and was buried
from her uncle's, Joseph Parker's, of Woburn, Jan. 23, 1819.
122. Lydia Parker ( Benjamin ^^ 'Josiahy> 'Josiah^'^
John,^ Hanantah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Benjamin and Meheta-
ble (Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, Aug. 15, 1796; m.
Nov. 15, 1814, Benjamin Wyer, b. in Woburn, May 19, 1790,
the son of Edward and Lucy (Eaton) Wyer, who were m.
March 20, 1788. Edward Wyer was probably from Charles-
town, where his ancestor, Edward Wyer, from whom all of
the name in America are descended, settled after coming from
Scotland. He was a tailor; m. in 1648 to Elizabeth Johnson,
and d. in Charlestown in 1693.
Benjamin Wyer was a bootmaker ; lived in Woburn but
finally removed to Lexington where he d. Lydia (Parker)
Wyer d. in Woburn, Sept. 9, 1840, aged 44 years.
Their only child was :
I. Benjamin Franklin Wyer, b. in Woburn, Dec. 28, 1816; m.
Nov. 24, 1842, Sarah Brown Page. He was a bootmaker
and storekeeper, and d. in Woburn, Jan. 19, 1884, aged 67
years and 22 days. His wife was the sixth of a family often,
was b. in Nashua, N. H., Feb. 2, 1822, the dau. of John and
Lucy (Fitch) Page, natives of Bedford. Lucy Fitch was dau.
of Dea. Moses Fitch of Bedford. Sarah B. Page Wyer resides
in Woburn. Children :
I. Lydia Annette Wyer, b. in Woburn, Jan. 5, 1846; d.
Sept. 20, 1847.
II. Sarah Allen Wyer, b. in Woburn, July 31, 1849;
resides in Woburn.
Benjamin Wyer (son of Edward) had a brother, George Wyer, of
Woburn, whose sons, Charles Wyer and Edward Francis Wyer,
with their families reside in Woburn.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 235
123. Charlotte Parker (Benjamin,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
yokn,^ Hanaiiiah,^ Thomas^), son of Benjamin and Mehetable
(Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, May 3, 1801 ; m. (i)
Oct. 2, 1823, in Woburn. Royal Caldwell, then of Woburn.
They lived in Burlington where he was a mechanic. She m.
(2) March 25, 1845, Nathan Buck of Wilmington, now de-
ceased and buried in Wilmington. She d. in Woburn, Dec.
23, 187 1, and was buried in Woburn.
Her child was :
I. Calvin Caldwell, b. 1824; d. Dec. 31, 1841, at the age of 17
years.
124. Fanny Parker (Benjamin,^ yosiah,^ yosiah,^
yohn,i Hanantah,^ Thomas^), son of Benjamin and Mehetable
(Tidd) Parker, was b. in Woburn, July 22, 1803 ; m. Dec.
23, 1824, George Washington Butters, b. in Woburn, June
28, 1799, son of Willard and Sarah (Caldwell) Butters of
Woburn. He was a bootmaker and after the birth of his
family removed to Methuen.
All the children were b. in Woburn :
1. Fannie Maria Butters, b. June 20, 1826; deceased.
2. Martha Butters, b. May 11, 182S ; d. Aug. 12, 1873, unm.
3. George Albert Butters, b. July 7, 1830.
4. William Henry Butters, b. Feb. 10, 1834; m. in Deny,
N. H., Jan. 21, 1866, Lucinda Perkins Nickols, dau. of Wood-
burn and EHza K. Nickols, b. in Derry, July 3, 1834. They
i-eside in Methuen. He is a farmer. Child :
I. George Henry Butters, b. in Methuen, Nov. 7, 1870.
5. Charles Butters, b. May 3, 1836; m. in Haverhill, Oct. i,
1856, Catherine A. Webster, b. in Lynn, June 24, 1832, dau.
of William and Matilda Webster. Children :
I. Carrie Parker Butters, b. in Haverhill, April 28,
1857 ; m. Wm. M. Webster of Bradford. Child :
I. Carl Howard Webster, b. July i, 1884.
II. Charles Sumner Butters, b. in Haverhill, Aug. 3,
1861 ; m. Harriet Chase. Child :
I. Frederick Butters, b. June 20, 1885.
6. Lucy Parker Butters, b. April 30, 1838 ; d. April 30, 1841.
236 PARKER GENEALOGY.
125. David Johnson Parker (Edmund,^ Josiah,^
yosiah,^ John,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Edmund and
Lydia (Johnson) Parker, was b. in Woburn ; m. in Woburn,
Jan. 5, 1815, Rebecca Carter of Wilmington. He d. in Wo-
burn, Feb. 12, 1830.
Their children were :
David Parker, b. 1815 ; d. in Woburn, Feb. 17, 1819, aged 3^
years.
Lydia Parker, b. March 11, 1818 ; d. in Woburn, July 3, 1871,
aged 53 years, unm.
James Parker, b. Sept. 17, 1819; m. Oct. 18, 1846, Mary Ann
Laethe. He d. in 1872. She resides In San Francisco, Cal.
Marv Parker, b. Sept. 7, 1823 ; m. Charles Swan of Woburn.
b. [probably] April, 1824, and d. same month.*
Elizabeth Parker, b. Jan. 12, 1825 ; m. 1844, Thomas Rice of
Chailestown, son of Thomas and Sarah Rice, b. March 25, 1822.
Their dau. was :
I. Mary Elizabeth Rice, b. 1S48 ; lived to the age of 19 years,
1 1 months, 7 days. She was a school-teacher ; besides was
a handsome and very promising girl. In four days' sickness,
however, she d. with the spinal meningitis upon the day set
for her marriage I The mother's residence, if living, is
unknown.
David Bradley Parker, b. June 13, 1828 ; m. He is somewhere
in the west, if living.
126. Polly Parker (Nathan,^ Josiak,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Nathan and Polly (Richard-
son) Parker, was b. in Woburn, March 23, 1794; m. in
Woburn, Aug. 4, 1812, Joshua Reed, Jr., b. in Woburn, July
24, 1790, the son of Joshua and Ann Reed of Woburn. He
was a shoe manufacturer. She d. Jan. 7, 1834, aged 40 years.
He d. of consumption, July 9, 1844, aged 82 years.
Their children were :
I. Mary P. Reed, b. April 21, 1813 ; m. May 30, 1833, Samuel
G. Neville. She d. Dec. 30, 1881. Children :
I. Henrietta Neville, b. July 4, 1836 ; d. March 15, 1840.
II. Lewis W. Neville, b. Aug. 7, 1838; m. March 16,
1862, Harriett F. Stevens.
♦This birth is inserted on account of an entry in the Woburn town records,
which reads : " , a child of David Parker died April, 1824."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 237
HI. Marietta Neville, b. March ii, 1841 ; m. Oct. 20,
1879, John Fickett.
IV. Charles H. Neville, b. July 20, 1847; m. April 4,
1871, Bessie M. Maddison. They have six children.
V. Elizabeth Neville, b. May 13, 185 1 ; m. June 30,
1875, Samuel Tripp Eldridge. They have four children.
VI. Annie M. Neville, b. Dec. 11, 1857.
2. Maria Reed, b. Feb. 9, 1814 ; d. Jan. 18, 1815.
3. Joseph Reed, b. April 19, 1817; d. in the west.
4. Maria Reed, b. April i, 1819; m. March 12, 1853, Luther E.
Hinckley. He d. Nov. 18, 1869, aged 47 years. She sur-
vives him. Their dau. was :
I. Josephine Smith Hinckley, b. June 9, 1858.
5. Sarah Ann Reed, b. June 10, 1821 ; m. in Woburn, Dec. 15,
1844, Aaron Thompson, son of Aaron and Rhoda (Lamb)
Thompson, b. in Feacham, Vt., Dec. 9, 1816. He was supt.
of the Woburn Gas Light Co. from 1855 to 18S7. He d. June
18, 1888. She resides in Woburn. Children :
I. Caroline W. Thompson, b. April 20, 1846.
II. Fannie Thompson, b. Oct. i, 1848.
III. Katie Thompson, b. Jan. 10, 1852 ; m. Oct. 26, 1876,
F. A. Winn. Their dau. was :
I. Dora A. Winn, b. July i, 1878.
6. Harriet Reed, b. Aug. 7, 1824; m. Nov. 20, 1842, Joseph
B. Sawtelle of Woburn. He d. in Woburn, May 14, 1890,
aged 70 years, 8 months. She resides in Woburn. Children :
I. Harriet Alice Sawtelle, b. Dec. 20, 1843 ; d. April
10, 1846.
II. Harriet Alice Sawtelle, b. Jan. 31, 1846; m. Aug.
4, 1864, Fred G. King. They have two children and
two grandchildren.
III. Emma L. Sawtelle, b. May 2, 1848; m. Dec. 23, 1872,
William Davis.
IV. Joseph E. Sawtelle, b. Feb. 23, 1851 ; m. May 8, 1876,
Harriett Newell.
V. Nellie E. Sawtelle, b. Jan. 18, 1854 ; d. Sept. 24, 1855.
VI. Nellie M. Sawtelle, b. Feb. 21, 1857; '"• Nov. 14,
1877, Charles Dexter Wade. They have had three
children.
VII. Frank A. Sawtelle, b. March 8, 1864 ; d. July 31, 1864.
238 PARKER GENEALOGY.
127. Maria Parker (Nathan,^ Josiah,^ Josiah^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Nathan and Polly (Richard-
son) Parker, was b. in Woburn, July 9, 1801 ; m. 1829,
Simon Adams, b. in Carlisle, Nov. 4, 1796, son of Timothy
and Joanna Keyes Adams. He was a trader. They lived in
Lowell. He was one year a member of the Mass. House of
Representatives. He d. in Lowell, Sept. 7, 1847. She d. in
Concord, Jan. 19, 1861.
The children were b. in Lowell :
1. Clara Maria Adams, b. Aug. 3, 1S30; resides in Boston.
2. Mary Julia Adams, b. July 9, 1S33 ; m. in Concord, Aug. 21,
1856, Abel Gardner Heywood, b. in Concord, June 12, 1835,
son of Abel B. and Eliza (Lawrence) Heywood. He was an
innholder ; d. in Concord, Feb, 9, 1873. She d. in Worcester,
Nov. 17, 1S85. Child:
I. Annie Maria Heywood, b. in Concord, Oct. 3, 1861 ;
m. in Boston, Dec. 28, 1S82, Charles Howard Webber,
b. Sept. 20, 1857, son of Moses H. and Susan D. (Bur-
gess) Webber. Their children were :
1. Velina Briard Webber, b. in Boston, Sept. 24, 1883.
2. Ruth Webber, b. in Winthrop, March ii, 1S90.
3. Elizabeth Bartlett Adams, b. Aug. 12, 1836 ; m. in Charles-
town, June 12, 1861, George, b. in Roxbury, Dec. 9, 1836,
son of Elisha and Henrietta (Mayo) Tolman. They reside in
Concord. Mr. Tolman is a journalist. He is also an experi-
enced genealogist, having spent a share of his life in this re-
search for the benefit of Concord families, of whose genealogy
he is the best authority. Their children were :
I. Adams Tolman, b. in Boston, April 15, 1862 ; m. in
Roxbury, June 6, 18S8, Harriett L., dau. of Daniel L.
Giles of Concord. Their son was :
I. Edward Mayo Tohnan, b. in Concord, June 3, 1S90.
II. Mary Mayo Tolman, b. in Concord, Oct. 8, 1863 ; d.
in Northfield, Vt., July 31, 1866.
III. William Nickols Tolman, b. in Dorchester, Nov. 2,
1867.
IV. Charles Edward Tolman, b. in Concord, Sept. 12, 1871-
V. James Henry Tolman. b. in Concord, Aug. 29, 1876.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 239
128. Susanna Parker (Nathan,^ Josiah,^ Josiah,^
yohn,^ Hananiah^- Thomas^), dau. of Nathan and Polly
(Richardson) Parker, was b. in Woburn, July 28, 1799; "^'
in Woburn, April 10, 1821, Marshall Wyman, b. in Woburn,
July II, 1792, deacon, son of Daniel and Hannah Wyman.
They lived in Woburn. He d. July 10, 1869. She d. Nov.
3, 1876.
Their children, all b. in So. Woburn, now Winchester,
were :
1. Henry Marshall Wyman, b. Oct. 3, 1S23 ; m. Emma Palmer
of Boston. He is deceased and she is living in California.
Children :
I. Henry Parker Wyman; d. in Arlington, aged 22.
II. Charles Crosby Wyman ; resides in California.
IK. Fred Roswell Wyman; d. in Chicago, 111., aged 21.
IV. Herbert Edward Wyman ; resides in Chicago, III.
2. William Augustus Wyman, b. Sept. 25, 1825 ; m. Lucy Fair-
banks of Boston. He is deceased and she resides in Brooklyn,
N. Y., where her family live also. Children :
I. Helen Eloise Wyman.
II. Marshall Fairbanks Wyman.
III. Maud Wyman.
3. Nathan Parker Wyman, b. Feb. 14, 1828 ; d. of typhus fever,
Sept. 29, 1845, aged 17 years.
4. Hannah Caroline Wyman, b. Feb. 15, 1830; m. Warren
Johnson of So. Woburn, b. Aug. 27, 1827, son of Major
Francis and Mehetable (Parker) Johnson (No. 119. See
page 229 for Warren Johnson.) She had one dau. :
I. Mary Agnes Johnson, b. Oct. 8, 1863 ; d. May 15,
1881. The mother d. in Winchester the year following,
April 21, 1882.
5. Abigail Fiske Wyman, b. Ma}' 4, 1833 ; she is deceased.
6. Mary Eliza Wyman, b. Jan. 11, 1835 ; d. aged 24.
7. Susan Ann Wyman, b. Feb. 14, 1838; d. Sept. i, 1S76.
8. Clara Maria Wyman, b. April 19, 1840; resides in Arlington.
John Parker (see page 153) (John,^ John,^ Josiah,^
yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), son of John and Hannah
(Stearns) Parker, was b. in Lexington, Oct. 12, 1786; m.
at the residence of her brother, Leonard Greene, in W. Cam-
bridge, Harriet Maria Greene, b. in Weston.
240 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
Emeline Augusta Parker; m. Gilman ; resides 112 Broad-
way, Chelsea. She has filled responsible positions. A treasured
family relic, Capt. John Parker's fannily Bible, is in her preserva-
tion. It was printed in 1769 and contains records in Capt. John's
strong and legible hand. Its cost was five pounds.
Caroline Eliza Parker ; m. George W. Stearns. She resides in
Brookline.
John Brooks Parker ; resides in Everett.
129. Hannah Parker (John,^ Jolm,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of John and Hannah (Stearns)
Parker, was b. in Lexington, March 15, 1791 ; m. March 15,
181 1, Samuel Greene,* then of Brighton, but a native of
Weston. Samuel Greene went to Burlington, Vt., in 1815,
where he was soon joined by his wife and two children. She
d. there, however, Oct. i, 1815. Her oldest sister, Mary
Parker, was previously sent for. She arrived in time to wit-
ness the sad funeral, and assisted the family as she could.
The year following, June 25, 1816, she and Samuel Greene
were married. "A more kind and affectionate mother-in-law
children never had." He d. Dec. 5, 1818, and she with the
only surviving son returned to Lexington, where she d. at the
homestead in 1831.
Their children were :
I. Columbus Greene, b. Feb. 13, 1812; m. 1839, Martha Dow
Webber, who was b. in Rumney, N. H., May 6, 181 1, dau.
of Benjamin, whose father, Benjamin Webber, was one of the
three men who in 1756 bought land on the south side of
Baker's river, and were the first settlers of what is now the
town of Rumney, N. H. It has already been shown that
when a child of three years he accompanied his mother to
Vermont in her removal there in 1S15. Mr. Greene has
several faint recollections of the journey. Upon the death of
his parents his mother-in-law was anxious to place him under
her father's, John Parker's, care, and they returned to Lexing-
ton in 1819. Being the oldest of Mr. Parker's grandchildren
he became associated during his youth with many of the brave
patriots who composed his great-grandfather's, Capt. Parker's,
* It is supposed that the families by the name in America of Greene who
spell the name with the e final are descended from the same common ancestor.
/■ '^T>=^,
Columbus Greene.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 24 1
military company, who fought so hard for the blessings of
liberty which they finally attained, and to whose accounts of
adventures he was very fond of listening. He was but two
years younger than Theodore Parker, and with him and some
of the other sons of John Parker he worked, played and studied.
They were boys together upon the old Parker homestead, then
as previously well filled with youthful activity and hope. In
speaking of his grandfather, Mr. Greene says : " I will only add
that he was all to me that my father could have been if he had
lived, and often said he knew no diflerence between me and
his own children, and he certainly never manifested any, and
in his declining years expressed a desire that I should remain
with him, but I was too young to take the responsibility and
wisely declined. His influence over me was a great blessing,
which I shall never forget."
It was with sad heart he left his grandfather in 1832 at the
age of 20 to reside in Lowell, and at his first opportunity
signed a temperance pledge. In process of time the anti-slav-
ery movement began, and opposition was so great for a time
that it was only safe for the leaders to hold their meetings for
consideration in private. However, while yet young, he iden-
tified himself with the cause, and through all the years has
been a true friend of the colored race.
As might be expected this man had other conscientious be-
liefs. At this time he was a decided Unitarian and active in
advocating their views ; "but," to quote him exactly, "finally
decided that I would say no more upon the subject of religion
pro or con ; would lay aside all opinions for the time being
and sincerely read the New Testament to learn what it taught
as necessary to salvation, and that I would pray to God to
help me to learn the truth, and this absorbed my attention for
months, and the result was I became a christian and united
with the First Baptist Church in Lowell. It was a new era
in my life ; I became active in Church work ; finally consented
to my pastor's request to hold meetings in different places
which he considered profitable, and thus years passed."
Columbus Greene was ordained pastor of the Baptist Church
in Colchester, Vt., June 11, 1840. He enjoyed his work there
and preached with success for about six years, when his health
failing he engaged in the manufacture of furniture. In 1847
he removed to Montgomery, Vt., and engaged in a mercantile
business. In 1S49 he was instrumental in forming a division
16
242 PARKER GENEALOGY.
of the New England Protective Union. He was soon after-
ward appointed postmaster at the centre of the town and held
the office for a period of 25 years ; also filled some town
offices, and during the Civil war drew the State pay for the
soldiers. Upon the breaking out of the war in 1861 he did his
best, publicly and privately, by orations, writing and personal
influence, to stir up the fires of patriotism and defend the heri-
tage our fathers gave us. He was a leader in his town, a man
whose ability and righteous example was felt by all, and his
name will live as long in Montgomery as the town itself. In
1863 and '64 he represented the town in the legislature, and
was also elected in 1S65, but did not serve. For more than
20 years he had charge of the Division store without the least
disagreement among the officers, and succeeded beyond all
expectations. He removed to Cazenovia, N. Y., in 1875, but
after a few years removed to Washington, D. C, where he
passed the remaining years of his life with his son. He d. in
Washington, D. C, Aug. 2, 1893. His remains rest in Rock
Creek Cemetery near that city. The mother survives.
I. Rev. Samuel H. Greene, D.D., his only son, wasb. Dec.
25, 1S25 ; expecting to continue in business with his father
was m. April 23, 1866, to Lucia A. Buzzell, but in Jan-
uary, 1S68, commenced a course of study with the min-
istry in view at Madison University, N. Y. Graduat-
ing from the college and theological seminary he was
ordained pastor of the Baptist Church in Cazenovia, N.
Y., June 24, 1875. In 1879 he accepted a call from
the Calvary Baptist Church in Washington, D. C, and
began his pastorate in December. He has now served
this Church 13 years and has been prospered in his labors.
During his pastorate moi^e than 1,350 persons have
united with this Church. It is the largest white Protes-
tant Church in Washington, save one. Rev. Mr. Greene
has been honored with the degree of Doctor of Divinity
by Norwich University, Rochester University and Col-
gate University, and is a trustee of the Columbian Uni-
versity. He has one son :
I. Samuel Harrison Greene, Jr.
2. Harrison Greene, b. Jan. 9, 1814; d. Feb. 23, 1818.
3. Samuel Parker Greene, b. Sept. 16, 1815 ; d. Oct. 7, 1815.
130. Lydia Parker (John,^ John,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of John and Hannah (Stearns)
1
'ttl
■
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M
i "'Iv
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K^i
%r ' ^™
;^^^
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^3Sf^3^^^^K^_^^^
■liiiiiH
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Mr. and Mrs. Isaac Parker.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 243
Parker, was b. in Lexington, July i, 1793 ; m. July 20, 1815,
Isaac Herrick of Brighton. He was a butcher. He d. in
Brighton.
T^heir children were :
1. Lydia Herrick, b. in Cambridge, June 9, 1817; m. in Brigh-
ton, Oct. 5, 1847, George Herrick (her cousin). Children:
I. Ella P. Herrick, b. May 31. 1852; m. in Everett,
Benjamin H. Howe, Jr., son of Benjamin H. and Han-
nah H. (Cutter) Howe, b. in Brooklyn, N. Y., July 25.
1853. The children, all b. in Maiden, were:
1. Charles H. Howe, b. June 24, 1879
2. George B. Howe, b. July 27, 1SS3.
3. Herbert P. Howe, b. March 7, 1887.
II. Georgianna Herrick, b. Dec. 25, 1855 ; d. Jan. 6, 1856.
2. John Isaac Herrick, b. in Cambridge, Sept. 21, 1819; m. in
Boston, Sept. 15, 1S44, Rebecca Marsh of Boston, b. in
Boston, Jan. 24, 1821, dau. of Joseph and Tryphosa C.
(Parker) Marsh. He is a mental physician ; resides in Mars-
ton, Wis. Their children were :
I. John Wilkins Herrick, b. in Detroit, Mich., Aug. 16,
1845.
II. Sarah Parker Herrick. b. in Detroit. Mich., Feb. 19,
1847; ^^- ^" New Lisbon, Wis., Sept. 16, 1S75,
Whittemore. Their child was :
I. Ethelwyn Whittemore, b. in Kansas Citj-, Mo., June 7, 1879.
131. Isaac Parker (John,^ John:= Josia/i,^ Jokn^i
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of John and Hannah (Stearns)
Parker, was b. in Lexington, Nov. 5, 1798 ; m. 1829, Martha
M. Miller, b. in Hillsborough, N. H., June 29, 1801, dau. of
James Miller (a native of Hillsborough ; farmer, mason and
miller), and wife Ann Macolley, who had ten children in Hills-
borough, nine daughters and one son. Isaac Parker first drove
the stage from Waltham to Boston, which he continued until
1832, when he returned to Lexington. He assisted his father
in his declining years and settled on the old homestead. He
was a farmer, knew also the trade of his ancestors, wood-
working. He made many farm implements. He did a good
business at pumpmaking.
Isaac Parker was esteemed as a man of character and a
gentleman. He was assessor of the town of Lexington during
244 PARKER GENEALOGY.
the years 1846, '47, '48 and '50. He was slight but tall in
stature, and lived to a ripe old age.
The mother (1892), in her ninety-second year, still resides
at the old Parker homestead, a lady of remakable industry
and ability for one of her age. Her health is perfect, and her
presence is a great blessing to the many visitors which the
historical spot attracts. Her visitors' register contains many
hundred names. Their first two children were born in Wal-
tham and the remainder in Lexington.
Their children were :
Isaac Moore Parker, b. Nov. 10, 1829; d. about 1873.
304. Martha Ann Parker, b. June 16, 1831 ; m. William W.
Dingee of York, Pa.
Frances Maria Parker, b. Jan. 21, 1833 ; was a teacher.
Charles M. Parker, b. Feb. 15, 1835 ; resides upon the home-
stead, carrying on the farm together with his brother Theodore.
He enlisted from Lexington in the 24th Regiment in Aug., 1862,
for three years, which he served in the Civil war. It is he who
stands in the foreground in the picture, "The Lexington Parker
Homestead."
James Theodore Parker, b. Sept. 18, 1837 ; d. April 2, 1838.
Emily R. Parker, b. April 7, 1839; d. Aug. 6, 185S.
Theodore James Parker, b. April 21, 1841 ; resides upon the
homestead in Lexington.
George E. Parker, b. Jan. 2, 1843 ; d. Oct. 6, 1857.
132. Hiram Stearns Parker (John,^ Jokn,^ Josiah,^
yohii^i Hanaiiiah.^ Thomas^), son of John and Hannah
(Stearns) Parker, was b. in Lexington, Jan. 16, 1803 ; m. in
Lexington, Jan. 1, 1828, Nancy Leavitt, b. in Amherst, N.
H., April 7, 1803, dau. of Andrew and Elizabeth Leavitt of
Amherst. They lived in Lowell, where he was a carpenter
and builder. He d. in Lowell, Jan., 1852. She d. in Lowell.
Their children were :
305. Abigail Anna Parker; m. Charles William Rea of Here-
ford, P. Q.
Emma Frances Parker ; resides in Lowell.
306. Charles Leavitt Parker ; m. Minnie Barker of Lowell.
307. Susan Weatherbee Parker ; m. Col. George Edgar Went-
worth of Lowell.
Henry Theodore Parker.
THEODORE PARKERo
^,-. Schoff from Dai bv Allen R Honon .
PARKER GENEALOGY. 245
133. Theodore Parker (John,'' Jokn,^ Josiah,^ John'!'
Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), son of John and Hannah (Stearns)
Parker, was b. in Lexington, Aug. 24, t8io, the youngest in
a family of 11 children.
" Let us do our duty in our shop or our kitchen, the market,
the street, the office, the school, the house, just as faithfully as
if we stood in the first rank of some great battle, and we knew
that victory for mankind depended on our bravery, strength and
skill." — Theodore Parker.
Theodore Parker, the distinguished American rationalistic
preacher and social reformer, as a boy was richly endowed
both intellectually and physically. At a very tender age he
began to show a remarkable moral feeling and curiosity,
which constantly grew as he increased in years. As has been
shown, his father, John Parker, was an enterprising man of
strong intellect as well as a prosperous farmer and mechanic ;
was studious, thoughtful and progressive ; he was ahead of
the age in which he lived.
Theodore's mother, Hannah (Stearns) Parker, was as re-
markable in her way as the father was in his. She was an
entertaining, poetic, loving, and very practical woman. She
took great interest in the moral culture of her children. Con-
science was her guide, gratitude and trust were interpreters to
her of the ways of Providence.
Theodore began going to school when nearly six years old.
He was distinguished as a scholar by his constant thirst for
knowledge. In childhood he learned by heart and retained
many pages of poetry, and knew at ten years of age the
names of all the trees and plants familiar to Massachusetts.
The plain district school-house was a mile distant by road,
but was brought nearer by a short cut across the lield and
over the brook. Through the efforts of his father to secure
good instructors, William Hoar White began teaching in
1820. He took home evening lessons which he always
learned and wanted more. At the age of ten Mr. White led
Note. In parts of this sketch I have been materially assisted bv both Rev.
O. B. Frothingham's and John Weiss's authentic biographies of Rev. Theodore
Parker, and by a masterly article from the pen of Rufus Leighton, Esq., 30
Pemberton Sq., Boston, written expressly for this genealogy. He is one of
those still living who knew the great reformer well. The Author,
246 PARKER GENEALOGY.
him past the prescribed line of study and started him in Latin
and Greek. A desire for verse-making attacked him when
eight years old. His first composition on "The Starry
Heavens" disappointed his teacher by being too short. The
district school was open during the winter months only. He
was all the time a devoted and constant reader. He read
miscellaneously and everything. The extent of his reading
was astonishing. Whatever the schoolmaster could lend,
whatever the social or town library afforded, he devoured.
The father brought home nothing that the boy did not appro-
priate. If the cautious parent put a volume away on a high
shelf, judging it for some reason unfit for ^^outhful eyes, the
eyes espied it, and the hands reached it the instant the work-
shop absorbed the parental form. Before he was eight he had
read the translations of Homer and Plutarch, Rollin's Ancient
History and all the other volumes of history and poetry that
circumstances afforded. His marvellously retentive memory,
an inheritance from his mother, and which he later in life
treasured and kept bright with diligent care, enabled him to
remember all he had read and all the impressions which his
active mind received. He was always studying in school and
out. In the summer noons when others indulged in peaceful
repose under the trees he refreshed his mind with books.
The winter evenings and the summer mornings were long and
the hours were faithfully used. At the academy he went
through Colburn's Algebra in three weeks. The tuition for
one term in this institute, Huntington's Lexington School, was
four dollars. This was afforded by his self-denial in foregoing
the accomplishment of dancing, which the boys and girls of
his age were cultivating, in view of social festivities that were
the ruling passion about that time. Between the culture of
the two extremities, Theodore, on consideration, chose that of
the head. In the humbler virtues of toil and economy his
whole life was a school. He left no time for idleness, but he
seemed to find time for everything. Whether in the field or
in the workshop he studied Latin, Greek and mental philoso-
phy. Nor were his studies confined to books. The stars
interested him ; the trees, the shrubs, the flowers of the neigh-
borhood, the plants in cultivated gardens he visited, the for-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 247
eign fruits he saw in the Boston market when sent there annu-
ally with the peach crop, all attracted his attention. The for-
mation of the hills, their direction and slope ; the minerals,
rocks and stones that lay about, or those that were brought
from a distance excited his curiosity. This constant thirst
for knowledge of natural objects began in mere childhood.
He strove to satisfy it every time an opportunity offered. He
made it a rule to "explore a subject when curiosity is awake,"
and when unable to do so he noted the subject in his "Com-
mon Place Book" for future research.
He had his mother's aptitude for committing verses ; could
repeat a song from hearing it once, the Sunday hymn while
the minister read it. He could carry several hundred lines in
his memory so as to recite them at a sitting. In mature
years, when his mind was burdened with stores, he could
appropriate as many as a hundred and fifty lines of blank
verse after a single reading. The gift of expression came to
him as readily as the gift of acquisition. He had the political
events of the country on his tongue's end while yet a school-
boy, and talked so intelligently about them that the political
gossips of the town, assembled in Dudley's Tavern, often
drew him out for the sake of hearing his opinion. At seven-
teen militia duties began and in these he was as active,
prompt and efficient as in all the rest. There was always a
touch of war-like spirit in him. The military reputation of
the ancestor who was at Lexington Common and chafed under
inaction at Bunker Hill was dear to his heart. He rose to
rank in the company, clerk he certainly was, perhaps lieuten-
ant.
He began his career of teaching at the early age of seven-
teen. The first winter, that of 1827, he took charge of the
district school in Quincy ; the second in North Lexington ;
the third in Concord ; and the fourth in Waltham. He worked
upon the farm during the summer, performing all kinds of
farm work, helping his broad-shouldered father in his shop
(the old Lexington belfry) mending wheels, repairing wagons,
making pumps, wooden screws and wooden rakes with no
less joy than he studied. He worked as if toil was his whole
occupation ; he studied as if study was his whole delight.
248 PARKER GENEALOGY.
The day before his twentieth birthday, in August, 1830, he
went away, telling no one whither he was going. His father
had given him leave of absence from morning till night.
Theodore walked to Cambridge (eight miles), was examined,
passed examination, walked home and told his father, who
had already retired for the night, that he had entered Harvard
College. If the venerable parent wondered in the morning
where his son was going, he wondered more at night on
learning where he had been. "But, Theodore, I can not
afford it." "Father, it shall cost you nothing. I will stay
at home and keep up with my class." And this he did for a
year, working on the farm as usual, and going over to Cam-
bridge for his examination only.
Theodore opened a private school in Watertown in the
spring of 1832. During the first 3^ear the scholars numbered
35. Subsequently it increased to 54. The charge was not
high, five dollars a quarter, but rather than turn a deserving
boy or girl away because the modest fee could not be paid, he
would take the applicant gratis, and bestow as much care on
him or her as on all the rest. Religion was the first interest
with him ; he was unhappy if he could not make his school-
boys feel its power and charm. He made the trees, flowers,
birds and animals his texts as he rambled with the boys in the
woods. He encouraged a thirst for general knowledge among
his pupils, while he entertained them with unlimited informa-
tion. He had a way of making scholars answer their own
questions and remove their own difficulties, such as only com-
plete masters of their art possess. During this time he also
pursued his botanical studies. He walked to Cambridge and
to Charlestown every Saturday afternoon for instruction in
Hebrew.
In April, 1834, ^^ took up a theological course at the Cam-
bridge Divinity School. Here there was a chance for him to
exercise his intellectual powers as much as he desired. He
studied 14 hours a day. He met his expenses partly by
teaching five private pupils in addition to his studies. He not
only followed the usual course of study at the college, but
made acquaintance with a large number of languages, includ-
ing Hebrew, Chaldee, Syriac, Arabic, Coptic, Ethiopic, as
PARKER GENEALOGY.
249
well as the classical and the modern principal European lan-
guages, which last he learned to speak fluently. His power
of getting at the secret of a language was wonderful. Hebrew
he himself taught to a class of collegians. "The Swedish
language is easy," he wrote, "and I expect to get much
amusement and instruction from it. The Danish presents
more difficulties than Swedish, and I shall not study it exten-
sively, but soon make it give place to some other." The Rus-
sian he mastered sufficient to become acquainted with the dia-
lect used by the priests. The German furnished him rich
material for thought in theology and mental philosophy. He
applied serious work to the Anglo-Saxon alphabet and on the
derivation of the Celtic and Gothic tongues. He studied the
rudiments of the ancient, the Indian and the heathen religions.
Constantly adding to his immense store of knowledge, Theo-
dore was looked upon by his fellow-students as "a prodigious
athlete in his studies." His journal, which he commenced in
1835, and kept through life, throws a little light on the mar-
vellous extent of his researches at this period. During the
two months of November and December of that year the
names of 65 volumes are given as having been read. Some
were in German, others in Latin, Danish, Greek and includ-
ing Dr. Channing's essay on slavery, which was an important
seed, perhaps, of the tree which spread so widely in ten years.
"At this time," writes his biographer, Rev. O. B. Frothing-
ham, "Theodore's power of speech and of moral feeling was
attracting attention. He was the best debater, though not the
best writer, in the school ; always speaking vigorously and to
the point with an independence of thought, an enthusiasm of
manner and a freshness that gave promise of greater pulpit
power than was at first displayed."
After his year was up at the college Theodore prepared his
mind for the great work which he from boyhood had craved
to perform. He began preaching in Watertown to his old
friends and neighbors with a success that surprised those who
had heard only of his prodigious feats of learning. For several
months he was a travelling minister, at first for a month in
Barnstable, then in Northfield and Greenfield. Later he inter-
ested congregations in Portland, Lowell and Billerica. In
250 PARKER GENEALOGY.
June, 1837, he accepted an offer of a pastorate in West Rox-
bury. While at Watertown he became superintendent of the
Sunday-School. Among the teachers of the school was Miss
Lydia Cabot, the only daughter of John Cabot of Newton.
She resided with an aunt in Boston, but was boarding in
Watertown at this time. An attachment grew up between
them and they were married three years later, April 20, 1837.
They settled on Spring Street. He lived very happily, dili-
gently preaching and pursuing his studies and researches. In
the pleasant weather he was much out of doors, planting and
trimming in his garden. He took long walks, visiting Boston
and the neighboring towns on foot, doing his ten, fifteen and
twenty miles a day without fatigue. In summer his pedestrian
exploits would have tasked the vigor of any but a very strong
man. He once journeyed from New York to Boston on foot,
making about 30 miles a day. He walked easily through the
White Mountains, ascending Mount Washington from the
Notch and back the same day, and starting off the next morn-
ing for Franconia. His healthy exercise, his mirthfulness,
social temperament and the variety of his studies saved him
from the oppression of overwork. He made weekly, even
daily plans for his work, both physical and mental.
Up to this time he was only known as the promising
Unitarian Minister of West Roxbury, whose congregation
were delighted with his interesting sermons. But from his
early boyhood he appears to have settled instinctively in his
mind some of the vexing points of theology, and decided
against the worst dogmas of the Orthodox Church. His future
studies and researches strengthened this conviction and opened
to him a boundless field of labor, requiring the highest charac-
ter, the most inflexible determination, the firmest courage and
endless self-denial on the part of who so might engage in it.
Millions of men were to be emancipated from a belief in the
terrible doctrines set forth by Calvin and his successors, which
made their lives miserable and their future a matter of doubt,
and brought under the benign influence of a form of religion
which recognized God not as a capricious, malignant and
revengeful being, but as the Father and Mother of us all,
infinite in love, justice and mercy, and perfect in all his attri-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 25 I
butes ; and which consisted not in observance of forms and
belief in creeds, but in love to God and man. Others, also,
who had discarded the Orthodox theology and had no settled
belief in any form of religion, were to be shown that there
was something better than the churches had hitherto offered
for their spiritual help and guidance.
Gradually he came to the conviction that he must enter this
field and this was to be his life-work. In 1837, ^^^ long alter
his settlement as minister of the Church at West Roxbury, he
wrote two sermons on "The Historical, Scientific and Moral
Contradictions of the Bible," and kept them in his desk for
more than a year before he dared to preach them, and then
did so with much doubt as to the result.
At a convention called in Groton in 1840 by Come-outers
and Second Adventists, he said in a speech, that we must
come back to what Jesus demanded, not a belief, but a life, —
a life of love to God and love to man, and set forth distinctly
the difference between mere dogmas and rational religion.
In 1841 he preached the famous South Boston sermon on
the "Transient and Permanent in Christianity," which brought
matters to a crisis between him and the Unitarian clergy.
With few exceptions they turned upon him, refused him fel-
lowship and declined to exchange pulpits with him. A torrent
of opposition and abuse was poured out upon him from the
press and the pulpit. But the opposition only served to make
him more brave, to increase his zeal and determination.
Although debarred from the aid or the encouraging helping
hand from any of his brother ministers, he boldly took the
reformer's stand against the religious shams and the social
evils of the time ; moreover, he was bound to overthrow them.
In the autumn of that year he delivered five lectures in
Boston upon "Matters pertaining to Religion," in which he
elaborated fully his ideas of God, of man, the relation between
them, the Bible, the prevaiHng theology, and other matters
collateral to these. He set forth freely, with great clearness
and vigor, in his pulpit and the lecture room, the new views
which had caused such an outcry, and gradually his hearers
increased and his influence widened.
Theodore Parker was a natural reformer. The best blood
252 PARKER GENEALOGY.
of New England ran in his veins. He inherited those lofty
and sterling qualities which characterized his ancestors for
many generations back, to which were added others peculiar
to himself, not less lofty and admirable. By birth, by early
training, by circumstances which compelled him to habits of
industry and hard labor, by education and self-development in
various forms, combined with his wonderful faculty for assimi-
lating knowledge of all kinds, his keenness of conscience, his
tenderness of heart and sympathy with the oppressed and suf-
fering, his moral courage and unconquerable desire to enlist
in their behalf and his marvellous abilit}' to bring to bear his
vast learning and scholarship in fighting their battles, — he
was eminently fitted to engage in those great works of reform
in which he labored so zealously and incessantly, and in
which he achieved such grand success.
He was very open spoken at all times, and was too much
self-sacrificed to his cause to fear the rebuke which popular
opinion must give him. He was never backward to denounce
forcibly any and all evils of Church and society ; on the con-
trary he believed it effective and practiced it regardless of
consequences. It was thus that he acquired his most stubborn
enemies. One sentence from his first sermon in Melodian
Hall shows us how he so easily achieved the commendation
of the common people, but at the same time drew upon him-
self the strong enmity of the clergy :
" A Church truly Christian must lead the way in moral enter-
prises, in every work which aims directly at the welfare of man.
But look at the Churches of this city : do they lead the Christian
movements of this city, — the temperance movement, the peace move-
ment, the movement for the freedom of man, for education ; the
movement to make society more just, more wise and good ; the grfeat
religious movement of these times? Not at all."
Theodore was too generous hearted to allow any one sect
to bound his sympathies. His religion was one of deeds, not
creeds.
"My friends," said Theodore to an audience composed largely of
ministers, " if you receive the notions about Christianity which
chance to be current in your sect or Church solely because they are
current, and if this is all your religion, alas for you ! The ground
PARKER GENEALOGY. 253
will shake under your feet if you attempt to walk uprightly and like
men. You will be afraid of every new opinion, lest it shake down
your Church ; you will fear, ' lest, if a fox, go up, he will break
down your stone wall.' If on the other hand you take the true word
of God, and live out this, nothing shall harm you. Men may mock ;
but their mouthsful of wind will be blown back upon their own face.
. . . And alas for that man who consents to think one thing in his
closet and preach another in his pulpit ! Over his study and over
his pulpit might be writ ' EMPTINESS ' ; on his canonical robes,
on his forehead and right hand, 'DECEIT, DECEIT.'"
In short, he appealed to what was noble in man. All
nature came in for a share in his worship ; he showed how to
practice direct prayerful communion at all times ; taught duty
by a marvellous example as well as advice ; taught that man
could make the inspiration of his own conscience his sure and
constant guide. He loved to "apprehend religious truths
directly from the Almighty without the mediation of sacra-
ment, creed or Bible." He believed in the final redemption of
the whole human race. His belief was that
"So a man is a Christian, it makes little diflerence whether he is
a Calvinist or Lutheran, Papist or Protestant. We all know that
each sect contains in its instructions enough of pure vital Christian
advice to insure our salvation, so far as this depends upon ourselves
or our fellow mortals."
His conscientious decisions were the result of his constant
study, reflection, his strong mental philosophy and his great
knowledge of men and things. He was a member of the
Boston Association of Unitarian Ministers, who strongly criti-
cized his religious views as not being confined to their sect.
Theodore answered their attacks by an able letter of great
length, therein declaring his principles, and nobly challenging
any of their best speakers or writers to come forward and
manfully discuss the great question on its merits. It was a
Challenge that was never answered and quiet was for some
time restored. But the brotherhood forbid all exchanges with
Mr. Parker on penalty of expulsion from the society. The
people at large were now becoming interested.
His own words appropriately reveal the magnitude of his
great undertaking, his indomitable will and courage.
254
PARKER GENEALOGY.
*'I feel it is a great work that I have undertaken. I know that so
far as the ministers are concerned, I am alo?te^ — all alone. But I
have no ambition to gratify, and so neither fear the disgrace nor
covet the applause they can give me. Blessed be these iron times !
there is something for a man to do, and. still more, there is some-
thing for man to think.
. . . " If I had the presence of two men, I would be two minis-
ters, one here, and the other in Boston. ... I pray God for the
permanence of my ability ; I have greater deeds to do, greater deeds
to dare. ... I knew always the risks that I run in saying what
was hostile to the popular theology. But I care not what the
result is to me, I ask only a chance to do my duty. 1 know men
will eye me with suspicion and ministers with hatred; that is not
my concern. . . . The thought that I am doing my duty is of rich
reward to me ; I know of none so great. I see men stare at me in
the street and point and say, ' That is Theodore Parker,' and look at
me as if I were a murderer. Old friends, even parishioners, will
not bow to me in the street. I knew all this would come. It has
come from my religion ; and I would not forego that religion for all
this world can give. . . . Some of my relations, two or three hun-
dred years ago, lost their heads for their religion. I am called on to
no such trial, and can well bear my lighter cross. ... I consider
man's duty to be this, — to do the most good a?id the least evil possi-
ble. As for the consequences of such action, I fear them not ; they
lie not with me."
But a great part of Theodore Parker's fame as a preacher
is associated with the Boston Music Hall. The society re-
moved from the Melodian to their new place of worship Nov.
21, 1852. Here Theodore made his greatest power felt. In
this spacious temple he could let in the world of mankind ; it
was the world he wanted. The assemblies were on the whole
the most remarkable and nearly the largest that ever gathered
statedly within four walls in America. He at once attracted
and held a considerable body of earnest and truth-seeking men
and women ; and besides these, a large floating mass was
drawn towards that centre, persons who were impelled by vari-
ous motives, and who did not regard themselves as members
of that Society, though many of them subsequently became
so. For 14 years he occupied this position, preaching to the
largest audience that gathered in any church in Boston, com-
prising all sorts and conditions of men, from the most cultured
PARKER GENEALOGY. 255
to the least, — each finding something to satisfy him. His
earnestness and sincerity, his vast range of information, em-
bracing every department of human knowledge, his wealth of
illustration, his aptness in discriminating between shams and
realities, his felicity of language, and his wonderful faculty in
adapting his speech to the comprehension of listeners of all
grades, — made his sermons a delight to the minds and a
refreshment to the souls of those who heard them. He
preached the "absolute religion," and its adaptation to every
department and phase of human life and conduct, exposed the
falseness and hollowness of the popular theology, held up to
view and denounced the sins of the nation and of society, —
war, slavery, intemperance, the degradation of women, covet-
ousness and minor vices, — portrayed with masterly hand many
prominent men of the nation, as warnings or examples, set up
a lofty ideal of manhood and womanhood, and sought to bring
all up to that high standard of virtue and excellence. The
richness of his intellect, the sensitiveness of his conscience,
the tenderness of his heart, the yearning of his soul for the
"first good, first perfect and first fair," his love of truth, his
hatred of wrong and injustice, his moral courage, his intense
humanity, and his fervid piety, were expressed in his sermons
and prayers, which lifted his hearers to a higher plane and
gave them new life and strength and hope. None such had
been heard in Boston before nor have been since.
His biographer, O. B. Frothingham, well known pastor of
the Third Unitarian Church of New York, thus gives us a few-
interesting facts :
•'Mr. Parker's central position commanded a broad view. He
moved but little as he spoke ; his hand only occasionally rose and
fell on the manuscript before him as if to emphasize a passage to
himself; but his person was motionless and his arm still. He was a
scholar and a teacher, who addressed the individual understanding
and the private conscience. He had no accessories of rite, symbol,
ceremony, doctrinal or ecclesiastical mystery. His prayers weie
expressions of devout feeling, personal and tender, but without
humiliation, superstition or the least recognition of dogma at begin-
ning or end. The sermons were seldom less than an hour in length,
often more ; and were crammed with thought. To listen to him
regularly was indeed a liberal education, not in theology or even in
256 PARKER GENEALOGY.
religion alone, but in politics, history, literature, science and art.
His audiences were held in breathless attention by the spell of earnest
thought alone, uttered in language so simple, that a plain man hear-
ing him remarked on leaving the church, 'Is that Theodore Parker.-*
You told me he was a remarkable man ; but I understood every word
he said.' His rule was to have no sentence that was above the
comprehension of the simplest intelligence. The style was never
dry ; the sentences short and pithy ; the language was fragrant Avith
the odor of the fields, and rich with the juices of the ground.
"So fervent was his utterance, so natural and human his cry, that
the flowers on the table before him colored his devout speech, and
the voices of the animals blent easily with his own. One Sunday,
a terrier dog, that had strayed into the hall, suddenly, in the midst
of the prayer, lifted up a piercing bark. 'We thank thee, O Father
of all, who hast made even the humblest dumb creature to praise
thee after his own way I ' responded the supplicating lips. He was
preaching a discourse, one winter's day, on • Obstacles.' Describing
a man to whom obstacles are helps, he said, ' Before such a man all
obstacles will ' — at this instant a mass of frozen snow that had col-
lected on the roof came down with a noise like thunder, that shook
the building and startled the audience with a momentary feeling of
dismay — 'slide away like the ice from the slated roof,' said the
preacher's reassuring voice."
He loved to preach ; subjects crowded on him faster than
he could deal with them. The Sundays were too few with
him, rather than too many.
"Is it not sometimes a burden to the preacher to go through the
devotional exercises of the Sunday.'"' asked one of his friends.
"Never to me," was the reply. "The natural aptitude of my mind
has always been prayerful. A snatch of such feeling passes through
me as I walk in the streets, or engage in any work. I sing prayers
when I loiter in the woods, or travel the quiet road ; these founts
of communion, which lie so deep, seem always bubbling to the sur-
face ; and the utterance of a prayer is at any time as simple to me as
breathing."
A man of such commanding ability and genuine sympathy
with mankind could not be spared from taking an active part in
other movements for the amelioration and uplifting of the unfor-
tunate and down-trodden. He was an earlv advocate of tem-
perance and he entered into its encouragement with the same
thoroughness and activity which characterized all his labors.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 257
In 1845 he joined the anti-slavery leaders in their work, and
from that time forward was one of the most conspicuous and
indefatigable laborers in that field. He did an immense ser-
vice in arousing and educating the conscience of the people,
in impelling them to recognize and oppose the evils of slavery,
and in enunciating and diffusing the principles and shaping the
policy which found practical expression in the national poli-
tics, and which led ultimately to the overthrow of that gigantic
wrong. He gave himself to this cause with all the ardor and
thoroughness which characterized his efforts in the theological
field, and lavished upon it all the wealth of his nature and
acquirements. His writings upon this subject form a body of
anti-slavery literature of great value for clearness and accuracy
of statement, historical narrative and pertinent facts and statis-
tics,— showing the rise and progress of slavery, and the devel-
opment of the southern policy, and painting the evils of the
institution in clear, bold colors ; setting forth also the great
American idea which gives to the Constitution and the Union
their value and glory, and rebuking with just indignation the
men in high places who betrayed that idea and imperilled the
safety and prosperity of the country.
Politically, he vigorously opposed the Mexican war. He
was bitterly opposed to the passage of the Fugitive Slave
Law, which was accomplished in 1850. Every case of at-
tempted rendition in Boston enlisted his personal activity. In
June, 1854, when Anthony Burns, a fugitive, was captured
and returned to his master, Mr. Parker delivered a stinging
speech against the action and against the fugitive slave law to
an anti-rendition meeting at Faneuil Hall. For this he was
indicted on the charge of "resisting a U. S. officer in his
attempt to execute process": was arrested and tried. But
Theodore made use of these circumstances to good advantage.
He prepared an elaborate defence, which he printed and cir-
culated. The charge was quashed upon a technicality, hav-
ing produced no disgrace to Mr. Parker's reputation, as his
enemies had desired. On the contrary, it was quite to his
satisfaction, for his masterly speech and also his defence, en-
titled the "Trial of Theodore Parker for the Misdemeanor of
a Speech delivered in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping," was
17
258 PARKER GENEALOGY.
read by thousands throughout all the land who now began to
take a lively interest in the anti-slavery movement.
His exposition of the wickedness and injustice of the Fugi-
tive Slave Law, and his denunciation of it, and appeals to the
higher law, when eminent clergymen, statesmen and mer-
chants combined to uphold it and secure its enforcement, form
a striking episode in the history of that eventful period. His
speech and action, when the kidnappers came to Boston in
search of their fugitive slaves, proved his courage and led to
his indictment and the writing of his "Defence," a remarka-
ble book, which will be of great value to the future historian.
It contains the best account to be found of judicial and legal
tyranny from the reign of James I. to the time of his own
indictment.
At this time he began lecturing and preaching throughout
the Northern States. His name was spoken of with esteem
and with hate in every State ; throughout every town. His
printed sermons were sold by the thousand and read by the
ten thousand.
His efforts for the suppression of poverty, drunkenness,
ignorance, prostitution and crime, and the removal of their
causes, were vigorous and unceasing ; and the victims of these
vices found in him a wise friend and helper. These matters
are discussed with great efficiency and plainness in his books
and are abundantly illustrated with facts and figures. His
personal efforts, singly or in combination with others, for the
benefit of these unfortunate classes, were without stint, and
much of his time was consumed in that way.
The movement in behalf of the rights of woman and her
equality with man found in him a hearty and eloquent advocate,
and he was one of the foremost in denouncing the injustice of
those who deny these rights, in exposing the fallacies of their
arguments, and appealing to the common sense and justice of
mankind to accord to her her proper position and an equal
opportunity with man for culture, development and the exer-
cise of her natural talents in various directions.
His biographical discourses were models of thoroughness
and strength. While preparing his pulpit oration on John
Quincy Adams he reviewed the statesman's whole career.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
259
read every speech, analyzed every argument, scrutinized
every act, went behind every piece of public policy, and laid
out the history so simply that the least instructed intelligence
could understand it. Before writing the greatest discourse of
them all, on Daniel Webster dead, he did more than this : he
gleaned from all credible sources information in regard to Mr.
Webster's private life and character ; probed the secrets of his
ancestry ; read the principal works of distinguished authors,
jurists and statesmen in England ; studied again the orations
of Demosthenes and Cicero in order to settle precisely in his
own mind the rank of the great American as lawyer, states-
man, orator and man. That wonderful oration was written
at a heat. The preparation for it covered weeks and even
years, but a few hours of solitary meditation in the country,
after the statesman's death, fused the mass of material so com-
pletely that it ran like molten metal into the literary mould.
The effect in the delivery was prodigious. The whole audi-
ence leaned forward in rapt attention, listening with breathless
intensity ; and when he spoke of his mourning for Webster,
and cried in choking voice, " O Webster, Webster ! my king,
my king! would I had died for thee!" every eye was wet
with tears.
He was the strongest man on any occasional platform on
which he stood, — always presenting his views with a force of
intellect, breadth of observation, homelike style of address and
superabundance of information that quite overshadowed those
whose lives had been spent in that special field of labor. His
opinions were broader, more practical and nearer to common
sense than the platform of the exclusive party with which he
was working at the time. In every conflict between barba-
rism and true civilization he always was found on the side of
the latter.
His preaching and other public speaking were not limited
to Boston. As he became more known, he was in demand in
the lecture-room and at gatherings of various kinds in New
England and beyond. During the last ten years of his active
life he lectured from eighty to a hundred times each year, his
field comprising every Northern State east of the Mississippi,
and once he spoke in a slave State, on slavery itself. Many
26o PARKER GENEALOGY.
invitations he was compelled to decline. The people heard
him gladly and he made hosts of friends during these expedi-
tions, comprising man)^ of the best people in the various towns
and overcame much of the prejudice existing against him.
He spoke on the subjects in which he was so deepl}^ inter-
ested, mostly upon the various matters of reform to which he
had given his life, directly and simply, and won his hearers
to his side by his earnestness, candor and natural eloquence,
and his happy faculty of presenting great themes — often dry
and matter-of-fact in detail — in an attractive manner. As an
illustration of this, one of his friends says:
"I have always remembered a certain lecture of his on the Anglo-
Saxons as the most wonderful instance that ever came within my
knowledge of the adaptation of solid learning to the popular inellect.
There was nearly two hours of almost unadorned fact, — for there
was less than usual of relief and illustration, — yet the lyceum audi-
ence listened as if an angel sang to them. So perfect was his sense
of purpose and of power, so clear and lucid was his delivery, with
such wonderful composure did he lay out, section by section, his
historical chart, that he grasped his hearers as absolutely as he
o-rasped his subject. Without grace or beauty or melody, his mere
elocution was sufficient to produce effects which melody, grace and
beauty might have sought for in vain."
The same friend, one of the few eminent classical scholars
of New England, says :
"Theodore Parker was the only man with whom I could sit down
and seriously discuss a disputed reading, and find him familiar with
all that had been written upon it. I know for one, and there are
many who will bear the same testimony, that I never went to Mr,
Parker to talk over a subject which I had just made a specialty with-
out finding that on that particular matter he happened to know,
without special investigation, more than I did. This extended be-
yond books, as for instance any point connected with the habits of
animals and the phenomena of out-door nature. Such were his
wonderful quickness and his infallible memory that glimpses of these
thincrs did for him the work of years. It was in popularizing knowl-
edo-e that his great and wonderful power lay."
Although he was one of the giants of learning his style is
remarkable for its absence from all taint of scholastic and
metaphysical terms. Speaking of his mental qualifications,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 26l
James Freeman Clarke, one of the few noble men and Unita-
rians who believed in the freedom of thought, and stood by-
Mr. Parker when the clergy of that faith denounced him, and
remained his warm friend to the last, said of him :
" Some men's minds are filled with a great multitude of ill-assorted
knowledges, crowded confusedly together like a mob around a
muster-ground. Others have a very small number of very well
arranged and drilled opinions, like a militia regiment thoroughly
organized as regards its officers, but very thin as regards its rank
and file. The thoughts, opinions, convictions, varieties of knowl-
edge in Theodore Parker's mind are like a well-appointed and
thoroughly organized army, with full ranks, beautiful in its uniforms
and its banners, inspired by the martial airs of its music, complete
in all arms, — infantry, cavalry, engineers, artillery, — marching to the
overthrow of a demoralized and discouraged enemy."
His conversational power was marvellous. He could talk
upon any subject, and astonished and fascinated every listener,
pouring out a flood of various and delightful information, wit
and wisdom, adapted to the needs and capacity of the hearer,
and never failing to say the right thing in the right place.
Thackeray said, when he came to America, that what he
most desired was to hear Theodore Parker talk. In this
phase of expression it has been said that he had no Anglo-
Saxon rival except Macaulay, but he lacked the arrogance
and impatience of opposition which characterized the great
Englishman.
He had a very extensive correspondence with strangers and
personal friends, among whom were eminent scholars and
scientists in this country and Europe. The great leaders of
the Republican party were his friends, and undoubtedly his
influence was exerted through them on the momentous quest-
ions of the day. William H. Seward said of him; "In his
grasp of the political issues of the times and their moral bear-
ings he surpasses us all."
He was the most generous of men. His sympathies were
world-wide and ever on the alert for the suffering and oppressed.
Refugees from foreign lands, hunted slaves, poverty-stricken
scholars, sorrowing women, all sorts of needy and unbefriended
mortals came to him, and found in him a true friend and wise
262 PARKER GENEALdGV.
adviser. He helped them with money and lavished upon
them what was of far more value.
Spiritually he was of immense service to thousands of earn-
est men and women who had fallen into indifference or unbe-
lief in religious matters, a condition for which the false theolo-
gy and low spiritual state of the Church were largely respon-
sible. By the promulgation of his ideas he created a power-
ful revival of fundamental religion throughout the country ;
not by dealing with the mere superficial elements of human
nature and character, as did the Calvinistic Churches in their
so-called revivals. Their barbaric creeds, worldly policy and
social inhumanities, and their interpretation of the Bible had
repelled these people. His presentation of the natural relig-
ion, based on reason and the noblest instincts of humanity,
drew them to his side, and they found a peace and satisfaction
therein which they had not known before.
Mr. Parker's persistent and well-grounded attacks upon the
popular theology, and exposition of its absurdities, together
with the favor with which his teachings were received by a
large class of people, were a constant source of annoyance
and displeasure to the Churches which held to the old forms
of belief, and many were the denunciations and warnings
uttered from their pulpits against him and his heretical views.
This feeling found remarkable expression during a season of
revival in a prayer meeting held in Park Street Church, Bos-
ton, on Saturday, March 6, 1858, in which the Lord was be-
sought to "remove him out of the way and let his influence
die with him," to "send confusion and distraction into his
study this afternoon, and prevent his finishing his preparation
for his labors to-morrow," to "confound him so that he shall
not be able to speak," to "induce the people to leave him and
to come and fill up this house instead of that," to "put a hook
in his jaws so that he may not be able to speak."
These supplications were admirably answered by Mr. Parker
from his desk in the Music Hall, in two sermons preached on
the 4th and nth of April, on "A False and True Revival of
Religion," and "The Revival of Religion which we Need."
They furnished a striking instance of absolute, unvarnished
PARKER GENEALOGY. 263
truth-telling, and are full of unsparing criticism, pure morali-
ty and tender devoutness.
His last sermon, entitled "What Religion may do for a
Man," was preached in Boston, January 2, 1859. ^^ ^^^
morning of Sunday, January 9th, the illness from which he
had been suffering for some years previous, the result of his
multitudinous and incessant labors in so many fields of useful-
ness and exposures incident thereto, culminated in a haemor-
rhage of the lungs. Consumption had been prevalent in his
mother's family for a long time. The absolute necessity of
stopping his work and devoting himself to an effort to restore
his broken health was thus forced upon him in such a manner
that he could not disregard the warning.
On the 3rd of February he left Boston never to return. He
spent some weeks at Santa Cruz and other places in the West
Indies, and then sailed for Europe, where he passed nearly a
year, mainly in Switzerland and Italy, and died in Florence,
May 10, i860, tranquilly and beautifully, full of the trust and
faith in God which he had so nobly preached. By his request
his only funeral services consisted of the reading of the Beati-
tudes by his friend Mr. Cunningham. He lies in the Protest-
ant Cemetery in Florence, a plain stone of gray marble over
his grave, bearing his name and the dates of his birth and
death. An American pine tree has also been planted there.
Up to the time when he was taken with haemorrhage, the
strong constitution inherited from the long line of hardy Massa-
chusetts ancestors had preserved him through 40 years of
constant application and toil ; it had carried him triumphantly
through hundreds of extraordinary exertions. The crisis was
naturally severe. Experienced physicians declared the chances
of recovery as one in ten. "If that is all I'll conquer," he
replied, "I have fought ninety-nine against one, — yes, nine
hundred and ninety-nine against one, — and conquered." Had
he possessed a restful nature he might have recovered, but
travelling was his element for continual mental occupation.
He must know the name of every tree, read every new book,
take daily excursions into the country wherever he was. He
was constantly studying the habits, occupations and religion
of the inhabitants, classifying the products, the minerals and
264 PARKER GENEALOGY.
the value of properties, thus becoming acquainted with the
whole history of every country he visited. While at Santa
Cruz he wrote his volume "Experience as a Minister." In
Switzerland his health improved for a time. He wrote to a
friend :
"I am still full of hope that the human mortal life will hold out
long enough for me to hammer over again some of the many irons I
have laid in the fire and got ready for the anvil. Indeed, I laid out
my life to work publicly and hard till sixty, and then have a quiet
afternoon till eighty for getting in my hay ; but if the hour strikes at
forty-eight, let not you nor me complain,"
The last insertion in his journal states :
"When I die I wish to be buried in the old burying place at Lex-
ington, where my fathers since 1709 — four generations of them —
have laid their venerable bones. I wish to be put near ihem.
"My life has failed of much I meant to hit, and might have
reached, nay, should, had there been ten or twenty years left for me.
But it has not been a mean life nor a selfish one. Above all things
else I have sought to teach the true idea of man, of God, of religion,
with its truths, its duties, and its joys. I never fought for myself
nor against a private foe, but have gone into the battle of the nine-
teenth century and followed the flag of humanity. I would rather
lay my bones with my father's in Lexington and think I may ; but
will not complain if earth or sea shall cover them up elsewhere."
But in Rome the winter was cold and damp. He wrote :
" Rome is the dampest city I was ever in. I have lost three pounds
a week since I left Switzerland and have gained nothing but a great
cough."
He welcomed the fair city of Florence with joy, although
he well knew it was to be his last earthly home.
Thus passed away before he had reached his fiftieth birth-
day this unique and much-gifted man. No man was ever
more cordially hated by such as upheld the errors, hypocrisies
and iniquities which he exposed ; none was ever more deeply
and tenderly loved, by those who recognized his true great-
ness and manliness, or felt the magnetism of his influence.
Those of his personal friends who survive hold him ever as a
sacred memory in their hearts, and count it as the choicest of
blessings that they were privileged to come within the charmed
circle of his presence.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 265
It is impossible to estimate at this time what he has accom-
plished in the various lines in which he worked. In the pro-
gress which has been made in the liberalizing of theology in
all denominations his influence is so marked that it cannot be
disputed. The Unitarians, who cast him out, have acknowl-
edged their error, and now seek to retrieve their folly by
honoring his memory. His portrait hangs in their hall, and
his writings are printed and circulated by their association,
with its imprint upon the title page. They have left behind
the dogmas for attacking which they so eagerly denounced
him. The various branches of the Orthodox Church, though
not acknowledging the debt they owe to him, are moving in
the same direction, and the modifications and humanizing of
their creeds, which is continually in process, is unquestion-
ably largely due to his efforts. Dean Stanley, when he came
to America, said that Theodore Parker had contributed more
to theological progress than any other religious thinker in this
century. His anti-slavery work was a powerful factor in the
abolition of slavery and in the triumph of the Union in the
war of the Rebellion. The other reforms in behalf of which
he labored owe much of their progress to his clear statement
and able advocacy.
He was, said Emerson :
''A man who has put us all into his debt by his brave life and
incessant labor in the cause of truth, freedom, good morals, religion
and good sense, here and throughout the world ; and whose single
and unaided performances in behalf of learning and humanity might
well put colleges and churches to shame. . . .
"New England put into him her choicest elements, made him as
it were the incarnation of her characteristic genius. Her granite
hills bequeathed to him their stern inflexibility ; her climate gave
him hardihood and health ; her summer and winter left upon him
their deposits of verdure and snow.
"Such was the largeness of his reception of facts and his skill to
employ them, that it looked as if he were some president of council
to whom a score of telegraphs were ever bringing in reports ; and
his information would have been excessive but for the noble use he
made of it, ever in the interest of humanity. He had a strong under-
standing, a logical method, a love for facts, a rapid eye for their
historic relations, and a skill in stripping them of traditional lustres.
"The vice charged against America is the want of sincerity in
266 PARKER GENEALOGY.
leading men. It does not lie at his door. He never kept back the
truth for fear of making an enemy. It was his merit, like Luther,
to speak tart truth when that was peremptory, when there were few
to sav it. But his sympathy for goodness was not less energetic.
His commanding merit as a reformer is this, — that he insisted beyond
all men in pulpits that the essence of Christianity is its practical
morals ; it is there for use, or it is nothing. . . .
"There were of course multitudes to censure and defame this
truth-speaker. But the brave know the brave. . . .
" The sudden and singular eminence of Mr. Parker, the importance
of his name and influence, are the verdict of his country to his
virtues. We have few such men to lose. Amiable and blameless at
home, feared abroad as the standard-bearer of liberty, taking all the
duties he could grasp, he has gone down in early glory to his grave,
to be a living and enlarging power, wherever learning, wit, honest
valor and independence are honored."
Wendell Phillips said of him :
"No sect, no special study, no one idea bounded his sympathy,
but he was generous in judgment where a common man would have
found it hard to be so. He raised the level of sermons intellectually
and morally. Other preachers were compelled to grow in manly
thought and Christian morals in very self defence. No man ever
needed to read any of his sentences twice to catch its meaning.
None suspected that he thought other than he said or more than he
confessed. He was far other than a bitter critic, though thank God
for every drop of bitterness that came like a wholesome rebuke on
the dead saltless sea of American life ! Thank God for every Christ-
ian admonition that the Holy Spirit breathed through those manly
lips. But if he deserved any single word, it was generous. Born
on a New England farm in those days when small incomings made
every dollar a matter of importance, he no sooner had command of
wealth than he lived with open hands. Not even the darling ambi-
tion of a great library ever tempted him to close his ear to need.
Go to Venice or Vienna, to Frankfort or to Paris, and ask the refu-
gees who have gone back — when here friendless exiles but for him —
under whose roof they felt most at home."
Moncure D. Conway of New York recently placed this
tribute to his memory :
" Dr. Gannett, the great, though always fair, antagonist of Theo-
dore Parker, has written of him : ' He was a very learned man and
a tender, true-hearted man, honest and thorough.' The whole
source of Parker's heresies is in that sentence. Because Parker was
PARKER GENEALOGY. 267
a very learned man he could not accept statements which criticism
and scholarship had to him proved erroneous ; because he was tender
and true-hearted he rejected traditional conceptions which to him
showed God heartless ; because he was honest he spoke out what he
believed. Those who once resisted his teachings, now favor his
writings. While Boston society disowned him, he was of all men
the most Bostonian. If Boston did not love Parker, Parker loved
Boston. As an example of the transiency alluded to, Parker's con-
cept of deity may be adduced. Nothing can be more perfect than
his ideal of a deity supremely wise, loving and at work in all the
laws of the universe, present in all events, minute or vast. Darwin,
even more sweet and gentle than Parker, walked by facts rather than
by faith, and he proved that the evils we had, though superficial and
transient, were inherent in the very organization of nature. I believe
the verdict must be that Parker was indeed tender to individuals, yet
writing beneath the musket which another Captain Parker used at
Lexington he felt himself struggling in a revolution against great
religious and political oppressions ; therefore his words were some-
times as hard as bullets, though each tore his heart as it went forth ;
but this is the inevitable inconsistency of all men who kneel to wor-
ship infinite perfection everywhere, then rise up to fight imperfection
everywhere. There will some day be centennials of spiritual inde-
pendence and of the union of religious colonies, and in that day
every scrap of testimony concerning Theodore Parker will be searched
for as is now every scrap relating to Washington. His will be a far
greater name then than now, for it will take a century to sum up the
results of his work. Theodore Parker ! Thy work is achieved ;
thy congregation may be dismissed. We are free."
His relative and playmate in childhood, warm friend through
life, Columbus Greene, Esq., says:
"While at the Divinity School at Cambridge I seldom saw him.
I had left the old homestead and we were more widely separated,
but we corresponded every month and we were familiar with each
other's welfare. I visited him once while there, and when I asked
him if he was taxed hard by the lessons assigned him, he replied,
' Oh no, it takes me about two hours.' He then showed me a list of
the books he had read and what volumes he had written of the sub-
jects treated and his opinions. The time was pleasantly spent at the
Divinity School in some respects, while in others it was not. He
entered the school in harmony with the Unitarian belief as generally
held, but he gradually departed from it, and his sermons in the school
were said to be dry and scholastic and called forth reproof from his
268 PARKER GENEALOGY.
professor. He diftered so much from the doctrines taught that on
'Visitation Day' a certain D.D. said, that he had no denominational
character ^ that he was an eclectic. Their frowns were more numer-
ous than their smiles of approbation, but it did not move him from
his fixed purpose to cling to what he believed to be right.
"His history after he entered the ministry, with its joys and soi'-
rows, is clearly described by Weiss and Frothingham, but I wish to
say that from his early youth he was conscientious, tenaciously
attached to what he believed to be right, and the best scholar and the
greatest reader I ever knew. The amount of his reading was marvel-
lous, his passing through books was like a locomotive on a down
grade with full head of steam and brakes ofl^'.
"His memory was remarkable; he retained what he read. In
his library in Boston, worth $20,000, he could tell readily what
each volume treated upon. A gentleman seeking for information
upon a given subject, once called upon him to see if he had a book
in his library that treated upon that subject, and as my memory
serves me, he replied, ' No, but if you will go to the library at Har-
vard University in the northeast corner on the second shelf from the
floor, and the third book from the corner, I think you will find it.'
"His organ of language was very fully developed. He once said
to me ' Some people are troubled for words to express themselves,
but as for me as much as five sets of words come up and I have to
select from them.' He was naturally tender-hearted, diffident and
retiring, but when he thought what was right was assailed he was
brave as a Spartan. Circumstances would show him to be as tender
as the kindest mother, or as argumentative as Webster in his reply
to Hayne, or as terrible in denunciation as the cyclone that sweeps
all before it. His father would have been pleased to have had him
studied law, and for a time it was a question whether he should be a
lawyer or a minister, but he soon decided that he could not consci-
entiously be a lawyer and he chose to be a minister. His aim from
early life was not only to be learned, but to be useful to mankind, to
do and defend what he believed to be right, if in so doing he stood
alone. Being intimately acquainted with him I have no doubt but
what he would have given up his life rather than to have ceased to
cry out against what he believed to be wrong. I think he was the
most fearless man I ever knew when almost overwhelmed by oppo-
sition. If any differ from me let them read his speeches and sermons
when most public men were as quiet as those in the sepulchre ; his
sermon after the death of Webster, his speech in Faneuil Hall after
the arrest of Anthony Burns, and his sermon after he was carried
back to slavery, 'The New Crime against Humanity.' I admired
PARKER GENEALOGY. 269
him for his vivid conscience, his great ability, his devotion to what
he behaved was right and his fearlessness in defending it, however
much he might suffer in so doing."
Some of the published works of Rev. Theodore Parker are :
Occasional Sermons and Speeches, 2 vols., izmo, 1852.
Ten Sermons on Religion, 1853.
Sermons on Theism, Atheism and Popular Theology, 1853.
Additional Speeches, Addresses, etc., 2 vols., i2mo, 1855.
Trial of Theodore Parker for the "Misdemeanor of a Speech
delivered in Faneuil Hall against Kidnapping," 1855.
Two Christmas Celebrations, 1859.
Experience as a Minister, 1859.
To these add the masterly pamphlet-sermons and addresses
on "Immortal Life," on "The Perils of Adversity and Pros-
perity," "What Religion will do for a Man," "Lesson for a
Midsummer Day," "The Function and Place of Conscience,"
the "Sermon of Poverty," " Of War," " Of Merchants," "The
Chief Sins of the People," "The Power of a False Idea," of
"The Perishing Classes," "The Dangerous Classes," "Great
Cities," "The Dangers and Duties of Woman," "Crime,"
"Intemperance," and we have a partial list of his best sermons.
He left unpublished about i,ooo sermons and lectures, among
which is a series of lectures on great Americans, some of which
are to be published. Different admirers of his works have
privately compiled "Sermons and Lectures by Theodore
Parker," amounting in all to about 18 different publications.
Besides his autobiography by O. B. Frothingham, a more
extensive one by John Weiss, and a third by A. Revielle of
Paris, entitled "Theodore Parker, sa vie et sa CEuvres," 1865,
and in English, London, Dec, 1865, i2mo. He left the chief
part of all his very valuable library, 11,900 books and 2,500
pamphlets, to the Boston City Library.
Theodore Parker was a very affable man. His acquaint-
ances included people of all classes of society and all kinds of
people. He was easily approached, as he was very pleasant
and genial in his countenance and temperament. His friends
were everywhere, he seemed to know everybody. But little
above the average height he was very firmly built and carried
a rugged appearance. His wife continued to reside in Boston,
where she died several years since. They had no issue.
270 PARKER GENEALOGY.
134. Mary Parker (Robert,^ John^ Josiak,^ John,'^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^ )^d.?cci. of Robert and Elizabeth (Simonds)
Parker, was b. in Lexington, Dec. 26, 1794; rn. April 11,
1822, Isaac W. Lawrence, native of Lexington, b. Nov. 18,
1796, son of Phinehas and Polly (Wellington) Lawrence of
Lexington. He d. Nov. 18, 1843. She d. Nov. 30, 1881.
Their children were :
1. Albert S. Lawrence, b. in Lexington, Jan. i, 1823 ; d. Aug.
I, 1856.
2. Henry L. Lawrence, b. in Lexington, Aug. 17, 1824; m.
March 30, 1852, Lucy M. Ham of Rochester, N. H., b. in
Rochester, Nov. 14, 1830. He and his brother are merchants
at Faneuil Hall Market, Boston. All the children were b. in
Lexington :
I. Helen M. Lawrence, b. Dec. 27, 1852.
II. Mary A. Lawrence, b. Aug. 7, 1854.
III. Anna Lawrence, b. May 9, 1857.
IV. Alice S. Lawrence, b. Dec. 6, 185S.
V. Henry D. Lawrence, b. Oct. 9, i860.
VI. Gertrude A. Lawrence, b. Nov. 26, 1863.
VII. MiNOT R. Lawrence, b. July 20, 1867.
VIII. Grace Lawrence, b. Oct. 6, 186S ; d. Aug. 10, 1S69.
IX. Effie Lawrence, b. May 24, 1871 ; d. July 21, 1872.
X. Dana Lawrence, b. Dec. 5, 1875.
3. John Parker Lawrence, b. in Lexington, Dec. 37, 1830; m.
July 15, i860, Georgianna Williams of Boston, b. in Boston,
April 3, 1823. Their children were :
I. Albert P. Lawrence, b. in Boston. July 31, 1863.
II. Mary H. Lawrence, b. in Boston, Oct. 15, 1864.
III. George L. Lawrence, b. in Boston, July 20, 1868.
IV. Charles H. Lawrence, b. in Cambridge, Oct. 16, 1869 ;
d. Aug. II, 1870.
V. Blanche L. Lawrence, b. in Cambridge, July 22, 1873.
4. Theodore M. Lawrence, b. in Lexington, Jan. 5, 1837 ! '^•
Oct. 7, i860, Sarah J. Luther of Boston, b. in Boston, Aug.
10, 1838, and d. Aug. 10, 1863. He d. Jan. 18, 1888.
Their children were :
I. Henry A. Lawrence, b. in Boston, Nov. 9, i860; d.
Oct. 3, 1S61.
II. Grace Lawrence, b. in Boston, Nov. 19, 1862; d. Jan.
4, 1863.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 27 I
135. Eliza Eleanor Parker (Robert,^ Jokn,^ Josiah,^
yohn,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Robert and Elizabeth
(Simonds) Parker, was b. in Lexington, Sept. 20, 1804 ; m.
April 12, 1829, Nathan Robbins of W. Cambridge, son of
Nathan and Rebecca (Prentiss) Robbins of W. Cambridge,
now Arlington. He had stalls in Faneuil Hall Market, where
he dealt in poultry and wild game. He was one of the
founders of the Faneuil Hall Bank, and was its president up
to the time of his death.
Their children were :
1. Edwin Robbins, b. in W. Cambridge, Jan. 9, 1832; m. 1852,
Ellen S. Daniels, b. in W. Cambridge, Feb. 7, 1833, dau. of
John P. and Elinor S. (Whittemore) Daniels. Children :
I. Frank Robbins.
II. Henry Parker Robbins.
III. Nelly Robbins.
IV. Nathan Robbins.
2. Orrin Robbins, b. in W. Cambridge, Aug., 1835 ; d. in Phila-
delphia in 1868.
3. Alvin Robbins, b. in W. Cambridge, Sept., 1837; ^- Emma
DebloisofW. Cambridge (now Arlington). Children:
I. Amelia F. Robbins.
II. Clinton A. Robbins.
III. Clarence Robbins.
136. Almira Parker (Robert,^ Jokn,^ Josmk,^ Jo/m,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Robert and Elizabeth (Si-
monds) Parker, was b. in Lexington, Aug. 30, 1806; m.
Oct. I, 1837, Joshua Robbins of W. Cambridge.
Their children were :
I. J. MiNOT Robbins, b. 1838; d. 1S69, unm. He served in the
War of the Rebellion, and was in business in Philadelphia, Pa.
3. A. Leonard Robbins, who d. unm.
3. R. Oscar Robbins ; he m. and had at least two children, who
are now living in Virginia. The parents are deceased.
137. Jonathan Simonds Parker (Robert,^ John,^
yosiah,'^ yokn,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas'^), son of Robert and
Elizabeth (Simonds) Parker, was b. in Lexington, July 30,
1812; m. Dec. 29, 1835, Abigail Tuttle, b. in Lexington,
272 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Aug. 2, 1814, dau. of David and Abigail (Smith) Tuttle.
The dau. Abigail was the great-great-grand-dau. of Lt.
Josiah Parker, through Anna Parker, No. 14, Thomas Smith
(page 72), and Abigail Smith Tuttle (page 72). Se.e Srrata.
The father, David Tuttle, was b. in Winchendon, Dec. 2,
1782, son of Jedediah, a Revolutionary veteran.
Jonathan S. Parker was storekeeper. His place of business
was the old location which G. W. Spaulding now occupies.
He early associated himself with military affairs and became
captain of the Lexington artillery. He filled the most im-
portant town offices, was treasurer five years, from 1839 ^^
1844, assessor of that town from 1850 to 1857, and 1859, ^"^^
selectman three years.
Jonathan S. Parker was even when young a man to whom
many of the town offices were entrusted, and must have proved
worthy as he was ever ready to aid any good cause. He was
a gentleman in the finest sense of the word, honest and fear-
less in his convictions. He was public spirited, genial, ready
with a joke, fond of reading and in this way educated himself
after his early leaving school. He was kind and helpful to
any one in trouble, and although he died comparatively young
his memory is still fresh in the minds of his many friends.
Jonathan S. Parker was a man of mind, of true honor, of ex-
cellent business abilities and was a highly respected citizen.
He d. in Lexington, July 5, 1859, and his widow d. April 4,
i860.
Their children were :
John Henry Parker, b. Sept. 16, 1836; d. Sept. 12, 1S55.
Elizabeth Simonds Parker, b. Sept. 30, 1838 ; resides in Lexing-
ton, unm. She is a teacher in Boston, where she has taught in
the grammar schools for 20 years.
Esther Tuttle Parker, b. Feb. 21, 1842; resides in Lexington,
Li n m .
307. Abby M. Parker, b. April 23, 1847; m. Geo. H. Cutter of
Arlington.
308. Georgiana Tuttle Parker, b. Oct. 12, 1S49; ^'^' Charles
W. Converse of Woburn.
Emma Frances Parker, b. April 8, 1853. Siie is a teacher in
Weymouth.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 273
Ellen Henry Parker, b. June 28, 1858 ; teacher for some years
in Lexington; m. Sept. 2, 1891, George B. Grant of Boston; re-
sides in Dorchester.
138. William Bowers Parker (Robert,^ John,^
yostah,^ John^^ Ilanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Robert and
Elizabeth (Simonds) Parker, was b. in Lexington, Jan. 13,
1817 ; m. in Lexington, Nov. 30, 1843, Elizabeth Garfield of
Charlestown, whose parents were Emery Garfield of New
Hampshire and Betsey Harrington of Lexington. They lived
in Charlestown.
Their children were :
Mary Eliza Parker, b. Feb. 3, 1844; m. Sept. 20, 1864, Albert
W. Lewis of Charlestown, son of Seth W., native of Claremont,
N. H., and Sarah (Stone) Lewis, native of Weare, N. H. Their
dau. was :
I. Mary Adelaide Lewis, b. June 14, 1865 ; m. July 17, 1884,
J. Eugene Hyland of Augusta, Me., and resides in Everett.
Almira Robbins Parker, b. Oct. i, 1845; m. Thomas Faber of
Everett, now residing in Weston. She d. Oct. 4, 1882. Their
son was :
I. George W. Faber, b. July 31, 1870. Resides in Everett.
309. JosiAH Bowers Parker, b. Aug. 31, 1848; m. Cristina
Savage of Everett.
Lucius N. Parker, b. April 7, 1851 ; d. May, 1856.
Edith Josephine Parker, b. Dec. 26, 1854; ^^'^- Edward Faber of
Everett. She d. May 20, 1874, and her child has since died.
Ellen E. Parker, b. Feb, 26, i860; d. Dec, 1867.
139. Samuel Parker (Levi,^ Joseph, '= Josiah,'^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Levi and Mary (Lyon) Parker,
was b. in Hubbardston, March 4, 1787 ; m. in Potsdam, N.
Y., Jan. 16, 1823, Lurania Akins, b. May 6, 1793, dau. of
Nathaniel and Mary (Tupper) Akins. Samuel Parker was a
farmer and lived in Potsdam. He was also overseer of the
poor. He d. in Potsdam, N. Y., May 6, 1855. She d. Nov.
24, 1879. In a local journal appeared the following compli-
mentary obituary notice of Samuel Parker :
"There are few men who better deserve a note of commendation
when they pass away from us than those strong and enterprising citi-
18
274 PARKER GENEALOGY.
zens who encountered the difficulties incident to new settlements, and
whose industry serves to lay the foundation for generations to come.
In this point of view our respected neighbor and friend now gone
well deserves the tribute of a brief notice. Mr. Samuel Parker came
from Royalton, Vt., to Potsdam, N. Y., in 1811, where the remainder
of his life was spent. He was therefore one of the very earliest
settlers of this point of St. Lawrence Co., and the community has
known but few men who were from character and habits better fitted
to encounter the hardships of a new settlement than was he. Untir-
ing industry, indomitable perseverance, and strict moral integrity
may be said to have been his ruling characteristics. He took up
and subdued one of the largest farms in town and left a very comfort-
able estate to his family after him. He was highly respected and
beloved by all who knew him, as a man of business he was honest
and industrious, as a husband and father uniformly kind, as a neigh-
bor always helpful and obliging. His funeral was attended by a
very large concourse of mourning friends and neighbors, and by the
Racket River Lodge of Free and Accepted Masons, No. 213, of
which the deceased had been a highly respected member from 1813
to the day of his death. May the example of his great industry, his
honest and useful life be followed by those who survive him."
Their children were :
310. Albert Parker, b. Oct. 19, 1S23 ; m. Turner.
Anna Eliza Parker, b. May 29, 1S26; d. Aug. 8, 1829.
Louis Parker, b. May 29, 1831 ; d. Aug. 7, 1861.
140. Martha Parker (Levi,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas'^), dau. of Levi and Mary (Lyon) Parker,
was b. in Hubbardston, Nov. 19, 1788; m. 1812, Shubael
Crandall, b. in Preston, Conn., Dec. 28, 1785. He moved
with his father's family to Royalton, Vt. They removed to
Pierrepont, St. Lawrence Co., N. Y., in 181 7, where he pur-
chased land in the then almost unbroken wilderness on which
he resided until his death. He early became a member of
the Presbyterian Church and was a sincere believer in the
teachings of Jesus Christ until the close of his long life. He
d. in Pierrepont, June 9, 1877, in the 92nd year of his age.
They had four children, who are all dead :
1. George Crandall; m. and had a dau. Ellen, now Ellen
Squares.
2. Elizabeth Parker Crandall.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 275
141. Aaron Parker (Levi,^ Josef h.^^ Josiah,'^ John.^
Hananiah,'^ Thomas"^), son of Levi and Mary (Lyon) Parker,
was b. in Hubbardston, Feb. 20, 1791 ; removed with family
to Royalton, Vt. ; m. in Howard, Steuben Co., N. Y.
Their children were :
Samuel Parker; m. and had son Aaron, who is supposed to be
living somewhere in the west.
Abijah Parker ( ?) .
Martha Parker ( .?).
142. Anna Parker (Levt,^ Joseph,^ Jostah,^ Jokn,^
Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Levi and Mary (Lyon) Parker,
was b. in Royalton, Vt., April 13, 1801 ; m. June 15, 1823,
David Paige, b. April 19, 1796, son of Pierce and Anna
(Durfee) Paige. They lived in Royalton, Vt, ; removed to
Downer's Grove, 111. He was a clothier and farmer. He d.
June 26, 1864. She d. June 8, 1879.
Their children were :
1. Edwin Paige, b. and d. April 3, 1824.
2. Gardner Paige, b. in Royalton, Vt., July 17, 1826; m. at
Downer's Grove, 111., June 17, 1852, Annis Weed Gilbert, b. in
Castile, Wyoming Co., N. Y., April 27, 1828, dau. of Medad
Parsons and Hannah (Hill) Gilbert. He was a farmer and
for a time storekeeper. In Downer's Grove, 111., he was police
magistrate, assessor, collector of taxes and notary public. He
d. in Downer's Grove, March 24, 1889. Children :
I. Martha Virginia Paige, b. in Downer's Grove, 111.,
Sept. 16, 1854; '""• Miller. Children:
1. Paige Miller, b. June 28, 1880.
2. Clyde Orton Miller, b. March i, 1883.
3. Gertrude Rose Miller, b. July 8, 1886.
4. George Samuel Miller, b. Feb. 9, 1889.
II. Rose A. Paige, b. in Wheaton, 111., Nov. 28, 1856;
resides at Downer's Grove, 111.
III. Hannah G. Paige, b. in Downer's Grove, 111., May 29,
i860; d. Dec. 13, 1865.
IV. Alzina J. Paige, b. in Downer's Grove, 111., Sept. 4,
1865 ; d. Nov. 19, 1865.
v. Gertrude M. Paige, b. in Downer's Grove, 111., May 2,
i868; m. Aunable(?).
3. Mary Alzina Paige, b. April 25, 1829 ; m. in Downer's Grove,
276 PARKER GENEALOGY.
111., Feb. 22, 1849, Washington Burdett Pratt, son of David
and Electa (Alexander) Pratt. He was b. in Homer, N. Y.,
Sept. 24, 1827 ; d. in Durham, Butte Co., Cal., Dec. 25, 1879.
He was a farmer and miller. She d. in Downer's Grove, 111.,
March 4, 1856. Children :
I. Ellen Josephine Pratt, b. in Grundy Co., 111., March
I, 1850; m. Charles Clibourn. They reside in Decatur,
Mo.
II. Eugene Franklin Pratt, b. in Downer's Grove, 111.,
June 23, 1851. He is m. and resides in Calistoga, Cal.
III. Daughter, unnamed, b. and d. March, 1856.
143. Isaac Parker (Levi,^ Joseph,^ Jostak,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Levi and Mary (Lyon) Parker,
was b. in Royalton, Vt., Dec. i, 1806. He early removed to
Ohio, where he lived 11 years. He m. in Cuyahoga Falls,
Summit Co., O., Mary Linsted, then of Harrington, Mass.
She was b. in Woodbridge, Suffolkshire, England, and came
at four years of age with her parents from England and settled
in Barrington, Mass. They removed to Chicago, TIL, where
Isaac Parker still resides (1890) in the eighty-fourth year of
his age. He was the youngest in the family of Levi Parker
and is the only surviving child.
Their child was :
311. Lucy Ann Parker, b. Dec. 17, 1838 ; m. Shubael Crandall.
144. Eunice Parker (Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,^ John,i
Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Joseph, Jr. and Polly (Fisk)
Parker, was b. in Weston, Aug. 13, 1792; m. in Weston,
March 19, 1814, Cyrus Pratt, b in Needham, Feb. 26, 1790,
the sixth of the nine children of Deacon Samuel and Hepzibah
Pratt of Needham. She d. in Needham, Aug. 16, 1834, aged
42. The family lived in Needham, where he was a farmer,
but the town records fail to show the births of the children,
who soon removed from town. He d. Sunday, March 26,
1871, a. 81.
Their children were :
1. Samuel Pratt, who d. young.
2. Samuel Pratt, b. 1818 ; d. Oct. 15, 1890. He was a nail
manufacturer in Wareham.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 277
3. Joseph Pratt, b. 1822 ; d. from an accident in Duncannon, Pa.
4. Isaac Parker Pratt, b. July 2, 1824 ; m, Feb. i, 1846, Sophia
Bird, b. in Chambly, Lower Canada, Nov. 8, 1828, dau. of
Esther Bird. She d. in Brockton, Oct. 25, 1890. He resides
in Brockton. Children :
I. RoswELL Henry Pratt, b. in Bellingham, March 27,
1847 ; m. June 17, 1874, Ann J. Henry of Rockport, Me.
II. Herbert Alton Pratt, b. in Bellingham, July 26,
1859; d. Dec. 29, 1864.
III. Frank Parker Pratt, b. in Bellingham, Dec. i, 1850 ; m.
in Brockton, June 3, 1874, Mary Ada Cobb of Brockton.
5. Eunice Pratt, b. 1826 ; m. Roswell Watkins. They lived in
Boston. She survives and resides with her son-in-law in
Wollaston. Children :
I. Lucinda Watkins ; m. William Plummer and lived in
Wollaston.
II. Etta Watkins ; m. Fred Libby. They lived in Cam-
bridge. They are both deceased.
There were several children who d. young.
6. Edwin Pratt, b. in Needham, Aug. 5, 1828 ; m. July 22, i860,
Caroline Patience Williams, b. March 7, 1840, dau. of Nathan
A. and Esther B. (Haradon) Williams. He is a mental physi-
cian in Boston. Child :
I. Grace L. Pratt, b. Sept. 25, 1870; m. Feb. 10, 1891,
Henry Jenkins of Maiden.
7. William Henry Pratt, b. 1831 ; d. Oct. 27, 1845, aged 14.
145. Sophia Parker (Joseph,^ Joseph, ^ Josiak,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joseph, Jr. and Polly (Fisk)
Parker, was b. in Weston, Oct. 6, 1796; m. at Shrewsbury,
Dec. 4, 1817, Montgomery Haven, son of Samuel Haven, Jr.,
of Shrewsbury. She m. (2) in Waltham, Oct., 1832, Asa
Luce, Jr., b. in Livermore Falls, Me., 1802, son of Asa and
Hephzebeth (Weston) Luce. Asa Luce, senior, was proba-
bly a native of New Bedford, where his uncles were whalers,
and his wife was a native of Weymouth. Asa Luce, Jr., with
wife Sophia Parker settled in Livermore Falls, Me.
Their children, all b. in Livermore Falls, were :
I. Fannie Valentine Luce, b. Sept. 9, 1834 ; m. John Kennison
of Jay, Me. They lived in Maine. She is deceased. He
resides in Jay, Me. Children :
278 PARKER GENEALOGY.
I. Laura Kennison ; m. and resides in Livermore Falls, Me.
II. Eliza Kennison ; m. and resides in Livermore Falls, Me.
2. Charles Demetrias Luce, b. Dec. 23, 1835 ; m. Dec. 24,
1867, Joa Oakes Bruce, b. in Waltham, Aug. 10, 1844, dau.
of Hiram and Hannah L. Bruce of Waltham. They reside in
Waltham. He enlisted in Waltham in Co. H, i6th Mass.,
June 29, 1861, and was discharged Nov. 24, 1862. He was
in Hooker's Division, Hentzleman's Corps, and was in the
battles of Big Bethel, Fair Oaks, White Oak Swamp, Glen-
dale, Malvern Hill, Second Bull Run and Chancellorsville.
3. Henry Bernard Luce, b. June 10, 1837; m. Flavilla Emory,
dau. of Rev. Emory of Auburn, Me. He d. Oct. 11,
1872, and she resides in Auburn, Me. He enlisted with his
brother Charles D. Luce, and after his time expired he re-
enlisted and served all through the war to its close. He was
in all the battles in which his brother took part and in all which
the Army of the Potomac were in afterwards. He was fifer for
Hentzleman's Corps, and after re-enlisting was messenger of
Gen. Sickles' stafi'. Child :
I. Lillian Emory Luce, b. June 18, 1871.
4. Laura Haven Luce, b. April 15, 1839; m. Myron Breuuer,
son of Dr. Breuuer of Wilbraham. They have an adopted son
Luther Breuuer.
5. Sullivan Cooper Luce, b. Oct., 1841 ; enlisted in 1861 from
Lewiston, Me., in Battery C. He was in all the battles of the
Army of the Potomac up to the time when he was killed in
the second day's fighting of the Battle of Gettysburg.
146. Isaac Parker (Joseph,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,'^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Joseph* and Mary (Fisk) Parker,
was b. in Watertown, July 19, 1802 ; m. in Waltham, April
16, 1826, Lucy Dunsmore, b. in Lunenburg, March- 13, 1807,
dau. of Isaac and Lucy (Butterfield) Dunsmore of Lunenburg.
Her father soon d. and when aged three she went to live with
her grandfather, Enoch Cook of Westford, a Revolutionary
*The children of Joseph Parker, pages 161 and 162, as there found, are
copied from Mrs. Joseph Parker's family Bible, which is in the possession of
Isaac Parker's widow. Heading the list of children are three statements, to
wit :
"Joseph Parker was born at Lexington, Oct. 4, 1767.
" Mary Fisk, wife of Joseph Parker, was b. at Weston, March 6, 1771.
" Mrs. Joseph Parker's Bible."
PARKER GENEAtOGV.
279
Isaac Parker of Waltham.
28o PARKER GENEALOGY.
veteran. She came to Waltham when 13 and has lived in
sight ot' the bleachery at E. Waltham ever since. Isaac
Parker came to Waltham when 19, in the year 182 1. He
was foreman of the packing and pressing at the bleachery, but
he finally chose out-door work as more congenial and became
a farmer. After his marriage he built the house in which
his widow survives him. It stands at the corner of Willow
and River Streets. He was a quiet, industrious man, fond of
reading, and one of the earliest supporters of the town library.
He gave a part of his farm to the town for the extension of
River Street. He also owned the land situated between Gore
Street and the Charles River, a part of which he gave to the
Fitchburg R. R. Co. for the railroad there. He was a mem-
ber of the Watertown Literary Organization which joined the
Rumford Institute in Waltham. He was a very prominent and
active member of that institute and for years took a very lively
interest in its work.
Isaac Parker was a firm and unflinching believer in Masonry.
In 1828 he took his Masonic degrees and was soon elected
master. He was master of the Monitor Lodge 11 years, from
Jan., 1847, to Nov., 1858, which is about three times as long
as the administration of any other master of the lodge, and
he was distinguished as the first master of Monitor Lodge who
was ever presented with a past master's jewel. The lodge
which bears his name was so named in honor to him — The
Isaac Parker Lodge of Waltham. He was a man of the most
unwavering integrity ; his word was as good as his bond. He
was wholly unostentatious, and he was a man of deep sense,
sound learning and good judgment. He d. in Waltham, Oct.
I, 1875. His widow survives.
All the children were b. in Waltham :
312. Mary Hammond Parker, b. March 4, 1827 ; m. Shubael
Treat.
313. Isaac Parker, Jr., b. March 4, 1829; m. Lydia Greenleaf
Rowell.
George Parker, b. March 23, 1831 ; d. Nov. 20, 1832.
314. George Endicott Parker, b. Feb. 4, 1834.
Bernard Parker, b. Feb. 12, and d. May 5, 1S36.
Charles Bernard Parker, b. July 17, 1838; d. Dec. 31, 1839.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 28 I
315. Lowell Parker, b. April 24, 1840.
Joseph Parker, b. Feb. 3, and d. March 9, 1842.
Lucy Caroline Parker, b. Oct. 3, 1843 ; d. July 27, 1845.
316. Lucy Caroline Parker, b. June 9, 1846; m. Sept. 11,
1871, Warner W. Carpenter.
147. Cynthia* Parker ( Josef h,^ Josef h,^ Josiah,^
John,T> 'nanafiiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joseph, Jr. and Polly
(Fisk) Parker, was b. in Weston, Jan. 15, 1810; m. in Wal-
tham, Dec. 3, 1836, David M. Batherrick, son of Timothy
Batherrick of Westborough. They lived first in Waltham but
soon removed to Weston. She d. in Weston, July 5, 1850.
Their children were :
1. Adaline Batherrick, b. 1837; d. in Weston, July 16, 1850,
2. Elizabeth Batherrick ; d. in Boston, aged about 20, unm.
148 Chloe Parker (Elisha,^ Joseph.^ Josiah,^ John,^
Hananiah^ Thomas^), dau. of Elisha and Jerusha (Went-
worth) Parker, was b. in Weston, March 7, 1801 ; m. m
Weston, April 20, 1823, Caleb Carr, b. July, i797, son of
Calebs Carr of Easton, son of Eseck4. She d. in No. Easton,
Dec 10, 1882. She was an energetic and capable woman,
and possessed rugged health until impaired by age. He was
employed for 50 years by the Ames Shovel Co., N. Easton,
Mass., and he d. March 28, 1887.
Their children were :
I ToHN H. Carr, b. April 9, 1824; m. (i) Mary Stoddard of
Stoughton; she d. 1849, and he m. (2) Emily E. Willis of
Easton, who d. July 17, 1889, and he m. (3) Sept. 21, 1889,
Harriet N. Dow of Harwich. He is assistant foreman m the
Ames Shovel Co., and resides in N. Easton. Children :
I. Lewis Carr, b. Nov. 28, 185 1 ; d. July 28, 1852.
II. Charles Carr, b. Oct. 10, 1S53 ; d. March 4, 1854.
III. Helen Carr, b. Feb. 11, 1855 ; m. June 26, 1878, John
C Wilder of Brockton, where they reside,
IV. Frank Carr, b. Feb. 12, 1861 ; m. Nellie Whiting of
*The name is spelled ^hout the letter n in the mother's, Mrs. Joseph
Parker's, Bible.
282 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Whitman. They and their dau. Helen May Carr reside
in Easton.
V. Caleb Carr, b. Nov. i, 1866; d. Jan. 26, 1869.
2. Eliza Carr, b. Nov. 6, 1825 ; m. Dec. 7, 1848, Hiram Williams
of Easton, son of Larned Williams. They lived in N, Easton,
where she d. Jan. 10, 1S81. He survives. Children:
I. Henry C. Williams, b. Oct. 26, 1S49 ; m. Feb. 27, 1877,
Mary H. Dunbar.
II. Edith Williams, b. Dec. 30, 1854; "^- Nov. 9, 1880,
Dr. George E. Woodbury of Brockton.
3. Martin Wales Carr, b. March 9, 1829 ; m. Dec. 22, 1858,
Lucy E. Brackett of Quincy, b. July 3, 1838. He is a jewelry
manufacturer in Boston, and resides in Somerville. Children :
I. Lewis Brackett Carr, b. in N. Attleborough, May
31, i860.
II. Eugene Parker Carr, b. in Springfield, Jan. 31, 1864.
III. Frederick Martin Carr, b. July 10, 1870.
IV. Emily Howard Carr, b. Oct. 19, 1876 ; d. March 6, 1877.
V. Helen Damon Carr, b. Jan. 27, 1880.
VI. Howard Wentworth Carr, b. Jan. 30, 1881.
4. Lewis Carr, b. Nov. 7, 1830; d. Jan. 13, 1851.
5. Jerusha Ann Carr, b, Dec. 25, 1833; "^- April 13, 1851,
George H. Hartwell of W. Bridgewater, and reside in Cam-
bridge. Children :
I. Amy Hartwell. ii. Fannie Hartwell.
6. Sarah F. Carr, b. March 25, 1836; m. (i) Oct. 5, 1854,
Hannibal Wells of Easton, who d. Nov. 30, 1854, ^^*^ ^^^^ '^*
(2) March 15, 1863, Albert T. Reed, son of Rotheus A. and
Ruhamah F. (Howard) Reed of Easton. They reside in
Whitman. Children :
I. Lillian Reed, m. iv. Charles Reed, who d.
II. Fannie Reed. v. A son, unnamed.
III. Alice Reed. vi. Jennie Reed.
7. Henry Carr, b. Feb. 11, 1838; m. Nov. i, 1863, Mary
Elizabeth White, dau. of Sanford and Mary E. White of
Easton. He is assistant foreman in the Ames Shovel Works,
N. Easton, where he resides. Children :
I. Lewis Henry Carr, b. Sept. 22, 1867.
IT. Edward Martin Carr, b. Jan. 25, 1874.
8. Lydia Carr, b. Dec. 7, 1840; m. (i) George Humphrey, (2)
William Monroe. They reside in Lynn. Their dau. was:
I. Bertie Monroe ; m. and resides in Brockton.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 283
149. Isaac Parker (EHsha,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,'^ John,-i
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Elisha and Jerusha (Went-
worth) Parker, was b. in Weston, April 23, 1803 ; removed
with his parents to Lincolnville, Me. ; removed with them to
Stoughton, Mass., about 1815 ; m. Nov. 9, 1825, by the Rev.
Mr. Hawes of S. Boston, Flavila R. Crosby, b. in Carlisle,
May 6, 1810, dau. of Rhoda Crosby. He removed (i) to
Walpole, (2) to Needham, (3) to Newton, (4) to Cambridge-
port, (5) to Stoughton, (6) to Canton, (7) in 1847 to Salem,
where he d. Dec. 3, 187 1. She survives him and lives in
Salem. He was naturally a machinist. He learned the black-
smith trade. In Cambridgeport and Stoughton he and his
brother Samuel made blind-hinges. In Salem he conducted
a shop devoted to the manufacture of curriers' knives, and in
which business he was succeeded by his son.
Their son was :
317. James Parker, b. in Stoughton, March 22, 1827 ; m. Martha
A. Haskell of Deer Isle, Me.
150. Elisha Hobbs Parker (Elisha,^ Josepk.^ Josiah,^
John^T> Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Elisha and Jerusha
(Wentworth) Parker, was b. in Weston, April 17, 1805 ; re-
moved with his family to Lincolnville, Me. ; removed with
them to Stoughton, Mass. ; in Stoughton was a manufacturer
of blind-hinges and one of the Stoughton Grenadiers.* While
still a young man he removed to Connecticut and m. July i,
1830, at E. Windsor, Ct., Charlotte Skinner of S. Windsor,
Ct., dau. of Benjamin and Mary (Foster) Skinner, b. May 17,
1807. He settled in S. Windsor, Ct., where he was a boot
manufacturer. He d. in S. Windsor, Aug. 25, 1845, aged
40. She d. March 25, 1883.
The children were all b. in E. Windsor, now S. Windsor:
Mary B. Parker, b. Sept. 13, 1831 ; m. May, 1849 5 ^- -^i^&"» 1S58.
Louisa Catharine Parker, b. July 21, 1833; m. Jan. 21, 1851,
♦The Stoughton Grenadiers have long taken a prominent part in the mili-
tary social life of the town of Stoughton. Elisha H. Parker was one of the
charter members, as was also Isaac Parker. The vacancy made by Elisha was
filled by his brother Hiram Parker, who still belongs, and that caused by the
removal of Isaac Parker was filled by his brother Jonathan C. Parker, while
Charles Elbridge Parker succeeds to his father's membership.
284 PARKER GENEALOGY.
William G. Tefft, b. in Windham, Ct., Oct. i, 1819. He is a
farmer in S. Windsor, Ct.
318. Benjamin Skinner Parker, b. Feb. 12, 1835 ; m. Julia
Wolcott of Windsor, Ct.
319. Frances Janet Parker, b. Dec. 8, 1836; m. Samuel S.
Case.
Ellen Rebecca Parker, b. Nov. 20, 1840; m. in S. Windsor,
Ct., Jan. 7, 1873, Edwin B. Ripley, b. in Blandford, Mass., son
of John and Elizabeth Ripley. He is a farmer in S. Windsor, Ct.
320. Emma Sarah Parker, b. Jan. 4, 1843 ; m. Albert K. Fuller
of Stafford, Ct.
Charlotte Maria Parker, b. Feb. i, 1845; m. July 14, 1892,
Henry Brown of Feeding Hills.
151. Rebecca* Parker (EHska,^ Josej)k,z Josiah,^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Elisha and Jerusha
(Wentworth) Parker, was b. in Lincolnville, Me., Sept. 18,
1807 ; m. Martin Wales, b. in Stoughton, Feb. 22, 1802, son
of Joshua and Betsey Wales of Stoughton. She was an at-
tractive lady, a very industrious and able woman. She was
very ingenious. She excelled in fancy work, and her cone
and shell work were also her pride. Martin Wales was a
well-to-do and influential man ; was president of the Brockton
Bank, then N. Bridgewater, and his likeness adorned their
bank-notes. He d. March 6, 1874. She d. Oct. 10, 1886.
Their children were :
1. Mary Rebecca Wales, b. June 5, 1829; m. Sept. 6, 1849,
Caleb H. Packard of Campello. They have one adopted dau.
2. Martin Wales, Jr., b. Nov. 30, 1831 ; d. March 5, 1832.
3. Martin Wales, Jr., b. March 19, 1833; m. Jan. 2, 1853,
Olive E. Wales of N. Bridgewater. He d. Dec. 17, 1864.
She resides in Boston. Children :
I. Edward Lewis Wales ; m. and resides in N. Easton.
II. Charles Lowry Wales; m. Caroline Wentworth of
Stoughton. He is a railway conductor and resides in
Stoughton.
4. George Wales, b. Sept. 25, 1835; m. (i) Oct. 16, 1856,
Emily F. Richards of S. Weymouth; she d. Dec. 17, 1864;
♦Rebecca Parker is recorded in the list of her parents' children with the
middle initial R. But from the family papers it appears that she did not use
a middle name.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 285
m. (2) April 5, 1869, Mary A. Richards of S. Weymouth
(niece of his first wife) . He is a shoe merchant and resides in
Stoughton. Children :
I. George Albert Wales, b. March 18, 1858.
II. Emma Frances Wales, b. May 11, 1870.
5. Seth Wales, b. Aug. 4, 1837; m. Oct. 2, 1864, Eudora
Williamson of Stoughton, where they reside. Children :
I, Seth Elva Wales, iv. Burton Wales.
II, Arthur Wales. v. Edwin Forrest Wales.
III. A dau., d. in infancy, vi. Catharine Rebecca Wales.
6. Lucy Maria Wales, b. July 3, 1839; ^^- Fisher Ames Cope-
land. Children :
I. Harry Addison Copeland ; hotel keeper. Sea Isle City,
N.J.
II. Merton Fisher Copeland, who m. Caroline Packard of
Brockton.
7. Adelaide Frances Wales, b. Nov. 5, 1845 ; m. Jan. i, 1868,
William Neale of Readfield, Me. He is a railway conductor
and resides in Stoughton. She d. Dec. 31, 1882. Child:
I. Minnie Neale ; d. at age of eight years.
Samuel Austin Whitney Parker (see page 162),
(Elisha,^ yosej)h,^ yosiah^^ yohn,^ Hanantah,^ Thomas^), son
of Elisha and Jerusha (Wentworth) Parker, was b. in Lincoln-
ville, Me., July 25, 1810 ; removed about 1815 with his parents
to Stoughton, Mass., where he m. Priscilla Tisdale Drake,
b. in Stoughton, April 17, 1814, dau. of John and Hannah
(Morse) Drake of Stoughton. He was a natural machinist,
sharing the characteristic inventive genius of his family. He
invented among other things the dinking machine for boot
manufacturing and the turning machine. He invented, it is
said, the first machine used on a boot. He lived in Stoughton.
His widow survives him.
Samuel Parker was a large, fine looking man of six feet
two inches in height, and stood very erect. From his several
initials he was sometimes distinguished by the nickname of
"Saw" Parker.
Their children were :
Priscilla Drake Parker, b. Feb. 19, 1836; m. in Stoughton,
1856, William H. White, Jr., b. in Stoughton, 1835, son of Will-
286 PARKER GENEALOGY.
iam H. and Annie (Erskins) White of Stoughton. They reside
in Stoughton. Children :
I. William Whitney White, b. in Stoughton, May 27, 1857.
II. Annie Priscilla White, b. in Stoughton, May 5, 1862.
Samuel Austin Whitney Parker, Jr., b, Dec. 18, 1834; m.
Hattie Wade of Brockton Heights. They reside in Stoughton.
He with George Wales carried on the boot and shoe business in
Stoughton in the Martin Wales building. He also kept the Hotel
Parker for a while. Samuel Parker was a prosperous and very
active citizen. He kept a market in Boston, when he suffered the
misfortune of paralysis, and entrusted, to his financial loss, his
large business to his help. Their son was :
I. Austin Parker, b. April, 1859; d. when a young man.
EsTELLE Inez Parker, b. May 4, 1845 ; m. 1866, Dr. W. E. C.
Swan of Stoughton, native of S. Easton. She d. March 26, 1891,
aged 45 years, 10 months, 22 days. Their son was :
I. Charles Louis Swan, b. Dec. 19, 1867 ; resides in Stoughton.
152. Hannah Parker (Eliska,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,^
yohn,^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Elisha and Jerusha
(Wentvvorth) Parker, was b. in Lincolnville, Me., Jan. 13,
1813 ; m. in Stoughton, John Smith of Stoughton, a native of
Portugal, b. 181 r, and came when very young to this country
with his brother Joseph C. Smith, who later settled in Cam-
bridge. John Smith was first a ship rigger in Boston, after-
ward a shoemaker in Stoughton. He d. in Raynham, 1847.
She remained a widow 14 years, when she m. (2) Eleazer
Pratt of Weymouth. She d. in We3'mouth about 1867.
The children of John and Hannah (Parker) Smith were :
I. James Elisha Smith, b. in Stoughton, June 2, 1S33 ; m. (i)
Sophia Thomes, (2) Abbie Pope, (3) Sarah Kellogg, and
resides in Athol.
The children of James and Sophia (Thomes) Smith were:
I. John Smith, b. 1S65.
II. James Smith, b. 1867.
III. Maria Smith.
The children of James and Sarah (Kellogg) Smith were:
IV. Ida Eva Smith, b. 1877.
V. Alice Louisa Smith, b. Feb. i, 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 287
VI. Edna Mabel Smith, \ry. ■
VII. Flossie Smith, 3
2. Betsey Maria Antoinette Smith, b. in Randolph, Oct. 27,
1837 ; m. Frederic Russell and resides in N. Easton. Child :
I. Eveline D. Russell ; m. H, E. French and resides in
Neponset.
3. Joseph Creoister Smith, b. in Stoughton ; m. Bridget Maguire,
and has had :
I. Cora Smith. ii. Flora Smith.
4. Sarah Jane Smith, b. in Stoughton ; m. Janies Luther. They
have a large family of children and reside in Taunton, where
he is foreman of a locomotive factory.
5. Melissa Smith; m. John Dame. They lived in Hanover and
are both deceased. Children :
I. Alvin Dame ; resides in Hanover,
II. Emma Dame ; resides in Hanover.
The child of Eleazer and Hannah (Parker) (Smith) Pratt
was :
6. Eleazer Pratt, Jr. He is living in Weymouth.
153. Hiram Parker (Elisha,^ Joseph,^ Josiah,'> John.i
Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Elisha and Jerusha (Went-
worth) Parker, was b. in Stoughton, March 28, 1816 ; m.
Sept. 25, 1836, Rhody Freeman of Orleans, b. March 11,
1818, dau. of Jonathan and Eunice (Snow)[?] Freeman of
Orleans. She d. of consumption, Nov. 21, 1848, and he m.
(2) April 25, 1850, Sarah Irene Morse, b. in Roxbury, April
23, 1830, dau. of Amos and Abigail Barnet (Davenport)
Morse. He learned the trade of shoemaking. He has been
undertaker in Stoughton and sexton of the Universalist Church
in all over 30 years. He is the mail-carrier of Stoughton.
The children of Hiram and Rhody (Freeman) Parker were :
Hiram Emmons Parker, b Nov. 4, 1837 ; d. July 13, 1859.
Mary Augusta Parker, b. Dec. 4, 1840; d. Jan. 13, 1841.
Albert Parker, b. June i, 1844. He enlisted in the Civil War
for two years; was taken prisoner and d. in 1865 in Andersonville
stockade prison just before the close of the war.
The children of Hiram and Sarah I. (Morse) Parker were :
Cariella Parker, b. and d. Dec. i, 185 1.
Gertrude Parker, b. June 9, and d. July 24, 1856.
288 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Charlotte Morse Parker, b. Aug. 28, 1858 ; d. April 3, i860.
Waldo Parker, b. May 12, and d. June 19, 1862.
Everett Parker, stillborn, May 30, 1S66.
154. Jonathan Capin Parker (Elisha,^ Jose^h,^
yosiak,'^ 'John,^^ Hananiah,- Thomas^), son of Elisha and
Jerusha (Wentworth) Parker, was b. in Stoughton, April 23,
1820 (twin brother with David M.) ; m. in Lowell, Oct. 18,
1840, Martha Ann Briggs, b. in Stoughton, Jan. 23, 1822,
dau. of Shepherd and Sally (Morris) Briggs of Stoughton.
The father, Shepherd Briggs, was a manufacturer in Stoughton
and Lowell.
Jonathan C. Parker was a natural mechanic with wood or
iron. Besides that of a woodworker and machinist he knew
also the shoemaker's trade. He lived in Stoughton all his
days. He and his brother Samuel made the first steam engine
that Samuel ever used. He conducted a machine shop in the
manufacture of edge tools. He supplied all the shoemakers
of Stoughton with knives, which were distinguished for their
quality. He had the inventive genius of his people : was an
intelligent looking, large and robust man of over 200 weight.
He d. July 8, 1886. His widow survives.
Their children were :
321. Charles Elbridge Parker, b. May 21, 1844; m. Harriet
A. Minzy of Brockton Heights.
322. Elisha Melville Parker, b. April iS, 1848; m. Caroline
Frances Coots of Stoughton.
155. David Manley Parker (Elisha,^ Joseph,^
'Josiah^^ John,^ Hananiah^^ Tkojuas^), son of Elisha and
Jerusha (Wentworth) Parker, was b. in Stoughton, April 23,
1820 (twin brother with Jonathan C.) ; m. Mary Ann Andrews
of Walpole. He was a shoemaker and d. in Stoughton, Feb.
5, 1890, aged 69 years, 9 months, 13 days.
Their dau. was :
Mary Lavinia Parker, who m. Hiram Smith of Stoughton. She
d. aged about 22 and left no issue.
156. Nancie Parker (John.^ Peter, ^ Jokn,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, Dec. 11, 1782 ; m. in Royal-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 289
ston, 1802, Nathan Goddard, b. June 26, 1780. They lived
first in Athol. Their home was near the Royalston line, but
one-half mile from the Parker homestead in Royalston. Re-
moved in 1806 to Bethlehem, N. H., where he resided the
greater part of his time ever after. He was a farmer. He d.
in Littleton, N. H., April 26, 1857, at the home of his dau.,
Mrs. Sally Strain. He was thus aged 76 years, 10 months.
She d. in Littleton, N. H., Nov., 1865, aged 83.
Their children were :
1. Anna Goddard, b. in Athol, Oct. 6, 1803 ; m. Luke Aldrich
of Littleton, N. H. She d. Feb., 1870. They had one dau. :
I. Maria Aldrich ; m. George Bacon.
2. Eliza Goddard, b. in Athol, Aug. 15, 1805 ; d. Feb. 5, 1S86,
unm.
3. John Goddard, b. in Bethlehem, N. H., July 15, 1S07 ; m.
April 15, 1835, Betsey Banfill of Dalton, N. H., and removed
to Bethlehem, N. H. He d. July 28, 1S87. Children :
I. Elizabeth Goddard.
II. Leonora S. Goddard ; m. Baker of Bethlehem, N.
H., and resides in Littleton, N. H.
III. Emeline Goddard.
IV. Daniel Goddard.
v. Alburn Goddard ; d. in the war of the Rebellion.
VI. Henry Goddard.
4. Mary Goddard, b. Jan. 31, 1810; m. Amasa Annis of Little-
ton, N. H., where they resided. She d. June, 1856, without
issue. He is also deceased.
5. Rhoda Goddard, b. Oct. 3, 1S12: m. in Bethlehem, N. H.,
Sept. 15, 1839, John Gordon of Littleton, N. H., b. in New
Hampton, N. H., May 18, 1810, son of Jeremiah and Sally
Gordon. He is a farmer. She now resides in Waterford Vt.
Their seven children were all b. in Littleton, N. H. :
I. Amasa N. Gordon, b. May 31, 1S43.
II. Mary A. Gordon, b. Oct. 4, 1846; m. Freeman Morse,
and resides in Waterford, Vt.
III. Sally P. Gordon, b. Nov. 5, 184S ; m. Jackson M.
Perry, and have children, viz. :
1. Georgianna Perry, b. Sept. 7, 1S65.
2. William Perry, b. Feb. 22, 1S68.
3. Frank G. Perry, b. Feb. 23, 1869.
4. Jennie E. Perry, b. Dec. 3, 1871,
19
290
PARKER GENEALOGY.
5. Mary E. Perry, b. Oct. 24, 1873.
6. Charles M. Perry, b. Nov. 6, 1874.
7. Hattie E. Perry, b. Nov. 8, 1875.
8. Carrie M. Perry, b. Feb. 28, 1877.
9. Allie B. Perry, b. May 11, 1878.
ID. Willie B. Perry, b. July 12, 1879.
11. Harry G. Perry, b. Aug. 22, 1881.
12. Elsie L. Perry, b. Nov. 18, 1882.
13. Katie G. Perry, b. Dec. 2, 1884.
14. Ida M. Perry, b. April 18, 1887.
IV. George Gordon, b. Sept. 25, 1850.
V. Charles C. Gordon, b. June 28, 1852.
VI. Israel Gordon, b. April 8, 1854.
VII. Ellen I. Gordon, b. Jan. i, 1857.
Peter Goddard, b. April 17, 1814; m. Emeline BanfiU of
Dalton, N. H. He d. March, 1889. They had one son :
I. H. P. Goddard, who resides in Franconia, N. H. No
issue.
Abigail Goddard, b. Feb. 20, 1S16; d. Aug., 1824.
Sally Goddard, b. Nov. 5, 1818 ; m. Aug. 29, 1S38, Daniel
Strain. He is deceased. She d. Dec. i, 1888. They had
seven sons and five daughters all but one son of whom lived
to maturity. They are now widely scattered about the country.
Their names were :
I. Ellen Strain ; m. Brown and live in Vermont ; no
issue.
II. Cornelius Hartwell Strain ; resides in Littleton, N.
H., and has sons :
I. Allie Strain. 2. Arthur Strain.
III. John Parker Strain ; d. unm.
IV. Jane Strain ; m. Weston Lyons of Bath, Me. Their
son is :
I . Harry Weston Lyons.
V. Catharine Eliza Strain ; m. Court Spooner of Bethle-
hem. They live in Lisbon, N. H., and have children.
VI. Daniel J. Strain; m. Dora L. Adams, dau. of Jacob
A. and Adelia B. Adams of Wilbraham. He is an artist
in Boston ; no living issue.
VII. Sarah C. Strain ; m. James Long.
VIII. Charles Strain; resides in Littleton, N. H., and has a
family.
IX. Lyman Edward Strain ; lived a few months.
X. Frank W. Strain ; unm.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
291
XI. Harry Strain ; resides in Littleton, N. H., and has a
family.
XII. Eva C. Strain.
9. EvALiNE GoDDARD, b. Feb. 20, 1822; m. March i, 184=^,
Albert Oilman of Bethlehem, N. H. She d. March 21, 1890.
Their children were :
I. George Gilman ; m. Phillips, and resides in Bethle-
hem, N. H.
II. Frank Gilman.
HI. Mary Gilman.
157. Mary Parker (John,^ Peter, ^ John,^ yohn,^
J-fanantah,^ Tho?nas^), dau. of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, June 2, 1789; m. in Royal-
ston, Oct., 1815, Capt. John Forristall of Winchendon, b.
Feb. 23, 1787. He was a farmer in Winchendon, a captain
of the militia and selectman for a number of years. He d.
Oct. 16, 1862. She d. July 30, 1872.
The children were b. in Winchendon :
1. Joseph Parker Forristall, b. Oct. 24, 1816; m. in Win-
chendon, Aug. 30, 1842, Mary A. Flint, b. in Winchendon,
Nov. I, 181S. He is a farmer and lumberman and resides in
Alstead, N. H. Their children were :
I. George Parker Forristall, b. Oct. 9, 185 1 ; d. June
I, 1858.
II. Frank M. Forristall, b. April 22, 1857 '■> "''• Juiie 19,
1878, and has three children :
1. Leslie Parker Forristall, b. May 4, 1879.
2. Florence M. Forristall, b. July 26, 1881.
3. Ralph W. Forristall, b. Oct. 6, 1888.
2. John M. Forristai.l, b. July 12, 1821 ; m. May 18, 1848,
Mary J. Wright, b. in Vernon, Vt., April 9, 1823, dau. of
Osmond and Sylvia Wright. He is foreman of construction
on the Fitchburg Railroad, and resides in Ashburnham, Mass.
Their children were :
I. Fred Wright Forristall, b. Aug. 7, 1850; m. June
3, 1874, Hattie A. Converse.
II. George Burrows Forristall, b. Feb. 4, 1S61 ; d.
June 18, 1873.
in. Abbie Jane Forbistall, b. Sept. 17, 1862 ; m. John L.
Clarke. They reside in Ashburnham. Child :
1. Ernest M. Clarke, b. Oct. 28, 1883.
292 PARKER GENEALOGY.
3. Charles E. Forristall, b. Dec. 17, 1823 ; m. June 27, 1850,
Ann Augusta Whitney of Royalston. They lived in Winchen-
don. He d. Feb. 7, 1872. She d. Nov. to, 18S7. Children:
I. Clarence W. Forristall, b. 1854; d. 1S55.
II. Charles Walter Forristall, b. March 12, i860; re-
sides in Royalston, unm.
4. RoswELL M. Forristall, b. Feb. 18, 1829; m. in Winchen-
don, Jan. i, 1856, Mary Ann Lake, b. in Rindge, N. H.,
Jan. 5, 1833, dau. of John and Mary Ann Lake. She d. Feb.
I, 1890. He is a carpenter and resides in Winchendon ; no
issue.
Deborah Parker (see page 163), (John,^ Peter, ^ John,^
yohn,^ Hananiahy^ Thomas^), dau. of John and Deborah
(Lamb) Parker, was b. in Framingham, April 12, 1792 ; was
a most worthy lady of high ability. She during her early life
took good care of her parents during their decline in life and
devoted attentive service to her mother, an invalid from paraly-
sis. She was seemingly well rewarded by the comfort which
she bestowed, and always happiest when generously assisting
or doing for others. Nearl}'- a year after her mother's death
she m. Jan. 8, 1839, Dea. Samuel Morse of Hopkinton.
There were five sons and two daughters in his family, and,
notwithstanding the necessary duties thus involved, the suc-
cess of happiness, love and prosperity which crowned this
marriage itself well attests her most excellent character and
ability. She was a most conscientious and loving woman;
was ver}' popular with all her associates, who were ever pleased
to speak a loving word in her memory. She d. April 26, 1865,
aged 73. She left no issue.
158. Peter Parker (John,^ Peter, ^ John,^ John,^
Uananiak,^ Thomas^), son of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, July 16, 1794; went when
aged six with his father to Royalston, where he passed his
early life and m. (i) 1824, Sarah Sawyer of Boylston. He
succeeded to his father's homestead, farm and shingle-mill.
He was a typical old-time shingle-maker. They were made
in view of strength and durability, and were often carted long
distances. On one occasion he transported a load from his
farm to Hopkinton where he shingled the "coffee house" and
PARKER GENEALOGY. 293
these shingles remained upon the roof perfectly sound /or 30
years. About 1836 he removed to Southborough, where he
was a farmer, and soon after removed to Hopkinton. Mrs.
Sarah (Sawyer) Parker d. 1830. He m. (2) in Hopkinton,
Nov. 25, 1830, Emily Chamberlain of Hopkinton, dau. of
Ebenezer Chamberlain. She d. about 1852.
Peter Parker was a stoutly built, good looking man of
medium height, with black hair and sandy beard. He was a
good mechanic by nature, and was more fond of work and
business than learning. He loved to excel in his work. When
engaged in the field it was his pride to let no one mow or hoe
faster than he did. In politics he was a Whig and took a
lively interest in the "Tippecanoe" campaign of 1840. He d.
in Hopkinton, Oct. 30, 1862.
The children of Peter and Sarah (Sawyer) Parker were :
Owen Boardman Parker, b. in Royalston, Jan. 5, 1826. He
began to work at shoemaking at the age of ii, and has ever since
followed this occupation. He resides in Worcester.
Sarah Moore Parker, b. in Royalston, March, 1828 ; resides in
Hopkinton, unm.
The children of Peter and Emily (Chamberlain) Parker .
were :
323. Hiram Chamberlain Parker, b. in Hopkinton ; m. Laurania
Newton of Woodville.
324. Milton Bridges Parker, b. in Hopkinton, Feb. 17, 1834;
m. Harriet Jane Ward of Hopkinton.
Amelia Parker, b. in Hopkinton ; d. in Ashland at about the age
of 12.
James Parker, b. in Hopkinton ; killed when a child by a falling
plank.
159. Dea. John Parker (John,^ Peter, ^ John,'' John,^
Hanam'ah,^ Thomas^), son of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, June 16, 1798; m. Sept. 3,
1823, Mary Ann Fales, b. in Shrewsbury, Dec. 21, 1800,
dau. of Daniel and Sarah (Pratt) Fales of Shrewsbury, and
granddau. of Capt. Fales, native of Wales. Daniel Fales lived
to the age of 99, and in Shrewsbury the old Fales homestead
is still standing.
294
PARKER GENEALOGY.
John Parker settled first in Holliston ; second removed to
Southborough, where he lived 20 years, and was a farmer ;
third removed to Holyoke, where he was instrumental in
establishing the Second Baptist Church, of which he was
senior deacon ; fourth removed to Westfield ; fifth to Hollis-
ton ; sixth to Berlin, and he now resides in Maiden at the
advanced age of 94. It is well to chronicle with his name the
characteristics and the rich harvests of this long and active
life. He was always distinguished as a good talker and a
man of very decided opinions. But his good nature was
always overflowing. He took the lead on political and social
questions. He will be remembered as not only a kind friend
to all but an active missionary worker and a true christian man.
He not only opposed the evils of his town, but he was deter-
mined to "weed out" what he could. With his cousin Peter
Parker Howe he worked hard and well to improve the social
standing of the town, and they were very successful. When
he settled in Southborough it was an intemperate, noisy place.
He approached men who were in the low depths of degrada-
tion, and as a friend and brother encouraged them to do better.
His manner and argument were so effective that he seldom
failed to produce an effect. He was an attractive speaker.
He held meetings and led the singing, denounced intemper-
ance and lectured on the blessings of the gospel. He was the
means of establishing the Church in Southborough, of which
he was made deacon. He made many speeches against slav-
ery and intemperance. During his first stay in Holliston his
example of teetotalism was the first known discard of liquor in
that section. In politics he was a Whig, in religion a Baptist.
When the Republican party was founded he helped form the
first Republican party meeting ever held in Worcester. He
was selectman. In 1840 his opposition to the Advent move-
ment in his town at that time was strongly felt. • After settHng
in Metcalf Village, Holliston, he was both farmer and shoe-
maker. During his stay he was a leading factor in the
establishment of the Baptist Church there. His wife d. July
16, 1888. In his old age his retentive memory and character-
istic vigor of life abide with him, and his interest in the im-
Dea. John Parker.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 295
provement and welfare of mankind, which has distinguished
him through life, is still an unfailing source of satisfaction.
Original poems by Rev. Dr. George C. Lorimer and Corp.
George H. Patch were read upon the occasion of John Parker's
golden wedding, Sept. 3, 1873. The following is an extract
from Mr. Patch's donation :
"Know all bj these presents, that friend Parker, Esquire,
Our dearly loved friend, who these lines did inspire,
Has faithfully lived in the marital bond,
For full fifty years, and been faithful and fond ;
Upbearing the burdens and cares that assailed.
With a kind loving heart, that never has failed.
And his heart has always been cheerful and bright.
In the pure steadfast beams of domestic delight :
And tho' met by misfortune, has not felt its harm.
While the loved ones at home were left to his arms.
Who while mingling freely with the world and its strife,
Has allowed no defilement to disfigure his life,
And so we can trust him without any fears
That he'll do just the same for the next fifty years.
"You see his hair parts much wider to-day
Than when he was basking in youth's noontide ray.
And you see his kind eyes in integrity fail.
As father Time's hand his vigor assails.
But his heart is as young as when long ago
He felt it throb quick with youth's springtime glow.
And freshly and brightly its influence cheers,
Despite the oncoming of gathering years.
"Three cheers for a Parker; may his coronet shine
With the wreath that our kindly affection entwines ;
May the sweet flowers that spring 'mid the air of his home.
Be wet with the dewdrops from God's heavenly dome."
Their children were :
Eliza Ann Parker, b. June 7, 1824; m. Barley Collins of South-
borough. He d. Nov. 7, 1853. She d. Sept. 19, 1856. The
whole family were buried in Westborough. They had one son :
I. Dewitt Collins; d. Sept. 19, 1853.
325. Charles Fales Parker, b. Aug. i, 1826; m. Julia A.
Brigham of Milwaukee, Wis.
Joanna Whiting Parker, b. June 16, 1833 ; m. June 19, 1857,
Milton Day of Westfield. They settled in Westfield ; removed to
Berlin, where he was a shoemaker and farmer and where he d.
July I, 1889. She now resides with her aged father in Maiden
at the home of her brother John H. Parker.
296 PARKER GENEALOGY.
326. John Henry Parker, b. Sept. 14, 1835 ; m. Annie E.
Gilniore of Boston.
Ellen D. Parker, b. June 22, 1837 ; d. Dec. 23, 1838.
327. Sarah Letitia Parker, b. Dec. 17, 1839; ^- Homer E.
Sawyer of Bradford, Vt.
160. Ruth Parker (John,^ Peter J> John,^ yohn,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Royalston, July 31, 1800; m. in Holliston,
Sept. 12, 1821, Capt. Nathan Leland of Holliston. She was
an interesting conversationalist, an attractive and most worthy
lady. She, like her sister Deborah, m. a widower, and like
her sister's famil}^ it was often jokingly remarked by the step-
children that they never knew such a good mother-in-law.
He was a farmer of Holliston, representative to the Mass.
Legislature, selectman and captain of the militia. He d. in
Holliston, 1842, aged 74. She d. in Erie, Pa., April 27,
1856. Charles, Simeon and Warren Leland, the three well
known and popular landlords of the Metropolitan, New York
city, were nephews of Capt. Nathan Leland.
Their children were :
1. John Parker Leland, b. April 22, 1822; m. Lydia Morgan
of Holliston, dau. of Jonathan Morgan. They lived in Hollis
ton for a few years, after which they removed to Gangese,
Mich. They are both deceased. Children :
I. EvERARD Leland ; resides in Toledo, O.
II. Nathan Leland.
in. Emma Leland ; m. and resides in Michigan.
IV. George Leland. And probably others.
2. George Ames Leland, b. May 9, 1824 ; d. at age of 13 months.
3. Leander Pales Leland, b. May 21, 1826; m. in Springfield,
Sarah Price, dau. of Nathan Price of New York city. She d.
in Marlborough, Feb., 1890. He enlisted in 1861 in Co. K,
27th Mass. Reg. and served three years, mostly under Gen.
Foster's command. He was given much picket duty and was
o-enerally sent to the remotest outposts, positions of much
trust and danger. During his service he was offered a cap-
taincy, but he preferred to remain a private. The most trying
time was the forced march from Newberne to Goldsboro, N.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 297
C, during which occurred the battle of Whitehall, and about
16 days constant marching witli but few hours' sleep at any
time. They were also besieged at Little Washington, N. C,
for 17 days. He resides in Whitman. Children :
I. Stark Leland ; m. Josephine Kimball of Holliston, dau.
of Ebenezer Kimball. He is superintendent of a shoe
factory in Calais, Me., and has two children :
I. Frank Leland. 2. L,evoy Leland.
II. George Leland ; who lived three years.
III. and IV. Two children, who d. in infancy.
V. Bertha Leland ; resides in Calais, Me., unm.
4. Erastus Darwin Leland, b. Sept. 13, 1828; m. Serena Mor-
gan (sister of Lydia Morgan). She d. and he m. (3) Harriet
; she d. and he m. again. He resides in Lanark, 111.,
and has three children, one of whom is named EfFendi Leland.
5. Polly Leland, b. June 27, 1831 ; m. in Springfield, Nov. i,
1852, Henry Foulds, b. in Arnold, Eng., Jan. 28, 1826.
They removed to Lanark, 111., where he was postmaster the
16 years preceding his death. She resides in Burlington, la.
Their children were :
I, Alice Carey Foulds, b. in Springfield, Mass., March
30, 1854.
II. Lizzie Morse Foulds, b. in Wooster, O., June 14, 1858.
III. Thomas Foulds, b. in Martin, O., Dec. 9, i860.
IV. Mary Foulds, b. in Milford, Mass., April 17, 1865.
V. Henry Morse Foulds, b. in Lanark, 111., March 31, 1869.
VI. Eunice Foulds, b. in Lanark, 111., July 26, 1873.
161. Abigail Parker (John,'' Peter, ^ Jo/w,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Tho7nas^), dau. of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Royalston, March 15, 1802; m. Jan. i,
1829, Newell Ware of Walpole, b. 1806, son of Capt. Nathan
and Eunice (Smith) Ware of Walpole. She was a very
capable woman. He was a farmer and a very retired man.
They lived in Walpole but later removed to Ashland. She d.
in Walpole, Aug. 29, 1864. He d. in Ashland, May 10,
1884.
Their dau. was :
I. Elizabeth Deborah Ware, b. Nov. 21, 1829; m. in Boston,
March 18, 1857, Elisha Morse of Hopkinton, b. Feb. 20, 1830,
298 PARKER GENEALOGY.
sonofDea. Samuel and Catharine (Sloan) Morse. He was
a bookbinder. Lived in Hopkinton ; removed to Ashland,
1865 ; removed to Worcester, 1886, where he d. May 29, 1888.
She resides in Worcester. He was a soldier in Co. K, 44th
Mass. Reg., in which he served nine months. Their children
were :
I. Martha Elizabeth Morse, b. in Westborough, March
29, i860; d. Aug. 31, 1861.
II. George Newell Morse, b. in Walpole, Jan. 31, 1863.
He is a music teacher in Woi"cester, Mass.
162. Josiah Parker (John,^ Peter, ^ Jokn,^ John,^
Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of John and Deborah (Lamb)
Parker, was b. in Roy alston, July 31, 1804; m. in Royalston,
March 4, 1835, Caroline Peck, b. in Royalston, dau. of Bonona
Peck, Esq. She was a school teacher. He m. (2) 1857,
Harriet May of Winchendon. He was a most industrious
man, worked every day and all day at his trade of crimping
and treeing boots at which he was a very capable workman.
The family lived in Ashland. Mrs. Harriet (May) Parker
d. in Southville, Feb., 1884. He d. in Southville, March 21,
1886.
His children were :
328. Mary Jane Parker, b. Jan. 14, 1836 ; m. Edgar W. Lane.
329. Sylvanus A. Parker, b. May 11, 1838; m. Mary Etta
Gates of .Stowe.
Ellen Frances Parker, b. in Hopkinton, Aug. 4, 1840; d. June
16, 1842.
Arthur Leroy Parker, b. Jan. 5, 1842 ; m. Caroline Gay of
Hopkinton; d. Aug. 20, 1871. He served three years in the
Union army. Their son was :
I. Walter A. Parker, b. Feb. 2, and d. July 2, 1866.
330. RosETTA Francena Parker, b. June 16, 1845 ; m. Morris
Flint of Marlborough.
331. John Francis Parker, b. Aug. 20, 1849; m. Mary C.
Gassett.
332. Ella Annette Parker, b. Dec. 16, 1850; m. Edward E.
Leighton.
163. Presson Parker (John,^ Peter, '^ John,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas' ), son of John and Deborah (Lamb)
PARKER GENEALOGY. 2^^
Parker, was b. in Royalston, Oct. 24, 1807 ; m. Mary Newton,
b. in Southborough, Jan. 22, 1816, dau. of Abel and Laurania
(Rice) Newton of Southborough. She was one of a family
of 12 children. They removed to Ashland. Removing west
he d. in Bloomington, 111., Oct. 8, 1858. Presson Parker was
a large, handsome, well formed man, six feet in height, and
wore a heavy, black beard. The family had the severe mis-
fortune of losing all their children but one before reaching the
age of 25 years. She still resides in Marlborough with her son.
Their children were :
Infant, b. and d,
George Presson Parker, b. May 6, and d. July 31, 1838.
333. Lysander Presson Parker, b. in Worcester, Oct. 2, 1839;
m. Eleanor Wilkins of Marlborough.
Minerva Ann Parker, b. in Southborough, Oct. 18, 1841 ; m.
Dec. 25, 1864, William B. Wetherby of Marlborough ; d. April
6, 1866. No issue.
Georgiette Marion Parker, b. in Sutton, Jan. 10, 1844 ; m. May
28, 1865, Daniel B. Bigelow ; d. Jan. 17, 1867. No surviving
issue.
Roland Everett Parker, b. in Southborough, Aug. 4, 1847 ; d.
Jan. 30, 1854.
164. Harriet Parker (Nathan,^ Peter, ^ John,^ John,^
Hananiah,^ Thomas"^), dau. of Nathan and Catharine (Mur-
dock) Parker, was b. in Framingham, Oct. 10, 1793 ; ni.
March 20, 1821, Josiah Bigelow, b. Oct. 26, 1790. He was
a carpenter and they lived in Framingham. He was the son
of Joseph and Ruth (Parker) Bigelow of Holliston, thus
making him cousin to Harriet Parker. She d. Nov. 2, 1861.
He d. July 22, 1863.
Their children were :
1. John Preston Bigelow, b. Feb. 14, 1822.
2. Henry W. Bigelow, b. Oct. 21, 1824; m. (i) Mary Langell.
3. Catharine A. Bigelow, b. Sept. 8, 1827; m. Aug. 31, 1853,
Job T. Perry, native of Belfast, Me. He owned the mills in
Framingham, near F. A. Billings's. The family removed to
Somerville. He d. April, 1884. Their children were :
I. Everett T. Perry, b. Nov. 27, 1854.
II. Hattie Maria Perry, b. Oct. 13, 1858.
III. Catharine E. Perry, b. Dec. 22, i860.
300 PARKER GENEALOGY.
4. JosiAH Q. BiGELOW, b. June 18, 1828 ; d. young.
5. Chari.es E. Bigelow, b. June 2, 1S30; m. Marcia E. Terrell.
He d. Dec. 15, 1885.
6. JosiAH Q. Bigelow, b. Feb. 6, 1836.
165. Maria Parker (Nathan,^ Peter, ^^ John,^ John,^
Hananiah,'' Thomas'), dau. of Nathan and Catharine (Mur-
dock) Parker, was b. in Framingham, April 16, 1799; "^'
Dec. 9, 1819, Abijah Fay of Southborough. He was a farmer
in Framingham. They adopted one dau., but left no children.
166. Dr. Peter Parker (Nathan,^ Peter, ^ John,^ John,^
Hanantah,^ Thomas'), son of Nathan and Catharine (Mur-
dock) Parker, was b. in Framingham, June 18, 1804. In his
youth he exhibited a remarkable thirst for knowledge and
power of attaining it, together with an untiring industry and
worth}^ ambition. He was an enthusiastic student from boy-
hood and early showed a preferment for missionary labors.
He graduated from Yale College in 183 1, after which he took
up a course in the medical department from which he gradu-
ated in 1834 with the title of M.D. He was licensed to preach
Aug., 1833.
Peter Parker was a renowned missionary, theologian, doctor
and surgeon, and conspicuous in the early diplomatic relations
between his country and China. His ability was not bounded
by one profession. Wherever he went or whatever his duties
his associates felt the blessing of his presence or beheld the
improvement of his touch.
Having studied theology, in which profession he took a deep
interest, he was immediately appointed by the American Board
of Commissioners of Foreign Missions as missionary physician
to China. He was ordained by the Second Presb3^tery of Phila-
delphia, May 16, 1834. He embarked for China June 3, and
reached Canton Oct. 29. At Canton he established a hospital.
It was originally intended to treat only those affected with the
diseases of the eye, in which Dr. Parker was an expert, but
soon applicants suffering from other ailments were admitted,
and the tirst year he had taken in 2,000. The medical ability
of Dr. Parker was a marvel. The natives appreciated his
wonderful cures and showed him the greatest respect and
PARKER GENEALOGY. 3OI
gratitude. He also preached to the inmates of the hospital.
He was the first known white man who ever saw the face of
the Emperor of China. This was occasioned by the Emperor's
illness, which necessitated Dr. Parker's educated skill.
A worthy account of Dr. Peter Parker is by J. H. Temple,
Esq., historian of Framingham, in which he thus writes know-
ingly of his deceased neighbor and friend :
"Soon after reaching Canton he went to Singapore to study the
Fuhkeen Dialect ; returned to China, Aug., 1835, and Nov. 4 opened
the Ophthalmic Hospital in Canton, originally intended for diseases
of the eye but soon became, by force of circumstances, more general
in its character. In 1837, Dr. P. visited Lew Chew and Japan, in
the ship Morrisor/., to return to their homes some shipwrecked
Japanese sailors. He was one of the founders of the Medical Mis-
sionary Society of China, and, for many years, president of the same.
"On the breaking out of the Opium War between England and
China — at which date upwards of 12,000 cases had been treated at
the Canton Hospital — Dr. Parker returned to America, visiting, also,
England and Scotland. As a direct result of his efforts, a wide-
spread interest was awakened in his work ; auxiliary societies were
formed, and the sum of $6,000 was secured for the purposes of the
Medical Missionary Society.
"In Washington, D. C, March 29, 1841, Dr. Parker married
Miss Harriet Colby Webster, dau. of John Ordway and Rebecca
Guild (Sewall) Webster of Augusta, Me., and returned to China in
1842, — Mrs. P. being the first foreign lady to reside in Canton. In
1844, with the consent of the Pru. Com. of the Am. Board, he ac-
cepted the appointment, by Hon. Caleb Cushing, U. S. Minister to
China, of Chinese Secretary and Interpreter to the Legation. An
historical fact of interest may here be recorded : A projet of a treaty
had been prepared by Mr. Cushing, and translated into Chinese,
prior to the arrival at Canton of the Imperial Commissioner, Ke
Ying. This projet was referred to deputies named by each of the
two Commissioners, to be examined in detail. One of the Chinese
deputies was Pwan Tze Shing, son of Pwan Ting-kwa, a Hong
merchant, from whom Dr. Parker (one of the American deputies)
had successfully removed a large polypus in each nostril, and whose
mother had also been his patient. When, in the progress of their
examination, the deputies came to the 17th Article, which granted
to Americans the right to rent sites and construct houses and places
of business, also hospitals and cemeteries, Pwan Tze Shing — evi-
dently as a graceful tribute of acknowledgment to the benefactor of
302
PARKER GENEALOGY.
his parents, as well as a public recognition of the claims of the
Christian religion — proposed to add, ' and temples of worship.' The
added clause was adopted, and was accepted by the Commissioners,
and became a provision of the treaty. Whether the prompting of
personal gratitude, or of a broader motive, this suggestion prepared
the way for the Imperial Rescript of Dec. 28, 1844, granting tolera-
tion to Christianity throughout the Chinese Empire.
"In 1845 Dr. Parker was appointed by our government Secretary
of Legation and Chinese interpreter, at which date his connection
with the Am. Board of Missions ceased, though he continued his
labors at the Hospital till 1S55, when 53,000 names of patients had
been entered on its roll. He then returned to America ; but was
soon appointed U. S. Commissioner, with plenipotentiary powers,
to revise the treaty of 1844. He reached China in December, and
after two years' service returned to the U. S. in 1857. ^^ afterward
resided in Washington, though a love for his native town induced
him to purchase the paternal homestead in Framingham, where his
summers were passed.
" Dr. Parker was made a corporate member of the A. B. C. F. M.
in 1871 ; was elected Regent of the Smithsonian Institution in 1868 ;
and was appointed in 1S71 by the Evangelical Alliance, one of the
American delegates to Russia, to memorialize the Emperor in behalf
of religious liberty in the Baltic provinces."
Biographical notices of Dr. Peter Parker are also found in
all standard encyclopaedias and in the History of Middlesex
Co., Mass. He d. in Washington, D. C, Jan. 10, 1888.
Their only child was :
334. Peter Parker, b. in Washington, D. C, June 13, 1859.
167. Charles Parker (Josiak,^ Peter, ^ John,^ Jokn,^
Hananiah,^ T/iotnas'), son of Josiah and Olive (Stone) Parker,
was b. in Framingham, March 6, 1805 ; m. May 16, 1830,
Mary H.WallingfordotClaremont, N. H.,b. in Dublin, N. H.,
1806, dau. of Ebenezer Blodgett and Mary (Hildreth) Walling-
ford. He succeeded to his father's new homestead in Fram-
ingham ; removed to Illinois ; removed to Bridgewater ; bought
an estate in Framingham Centre ; removed to Roxbury, where
he d. Jan. 16, 1885. He felt an interest in his genealogy, and
to him much of the credit is due for the fulness of the Parker
records in the History of Framingham. He properly appre-
ciated the worth of his ancestors' noble lives and observed the
PARKER GENEALOGY. 303
many abilities which they had transmitted to their descendants.
He was an enterprising and public-spirited citizen. Mrs. Mary
H. Parker d. March i, 1870, aged 64.
Their children were :
335. Charles W. Parker, b. June 27, 1831 ; m. Mary Jane
Schoft' of Newburyport.
JosiAH S. Parker, b. Jan. 13, 1S34; d. Dec. 22, 1838.
Elizabeth Leman Parker, b. July 4, 1835 ' ^^- Nathan D. Robin-
son of Bridgewater.
336. Edgar Parker, b. June 7, 1840; m. Frances Ames Hyde
of Brid^ewater.
168. Eliza Ann Parker (Josiah,^ Peter,^ Jo/m,^
yohn^i Hananiah,^ Thomas'^), dau. of Capt. Josiah and Olive
(Stone) Parker, was b. in Framingham, July 17, 1810; m.
in Framingham, Nov. 4, 1835, Thomas Hastings, Jr., b. in
Framingham, April 18, 1809, son of Thomas and Nancy
(Abbott) Hastings of Framingham. He d. June 6, 1886.
She resides in Cambridgeport.
Their children, all b. in Framingham, were :
1. CouRTLAND EvARTs HASTINGS, b. March 21, 1843; ™- i"
Chelsea, Florence Hubbard of Chelsea, dau. of Charles Hub-
bard. He resides in New York city, where he is in the whole-
sale jewelry business. Children :
I. Lillian Hastings, b. Jan. 16, 1873.
II. Alice Hastings, b. April, 1874.
2. Frederic Ashburton Hastings, b. Sept., 1841^ ; m. Jan. 15,
1872, Elizabeth Dow Ladd, b. in Newton, Feb. 4, 1846, dau.
of William H. and Hannah B. (Goodridge) Ladd. He was
of Portsmouth, N. H., and she was of Haverhill. Children:
I. Ella May Hastings, b. in Jamaica Plain, June iS, 1S73.
II. Clarence Frederick Hastings; b. July 2, 1877; ^'
Nov. 21, 1877.
III. Fred Parker Hastings, b. in Brighton, Aug. 9, 1878.
3. Ella Webster Hastings, b. Oct. ii, 1849 '■> ^- Nov. 2^, 187:^,
John Langdon Chapman, son of Eben and Eliza Chapman,
b. in York, Me., Nov. 24, 1844. They reside in Cambridge-
port.
304
PARKER GENEALOGY.
169. Emily Parker (Josiah,^ Peter, ^ John,^ John,^
Hauaiiiah,- T/ioiiias'), dau. of Josiah and Olive (Stone)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, Nov. 17, 1813 ; m. Daniel
Parmenter. She possessed good musical talent. They lived
in Framingham, where they have both deceased.
They had one son :
I. Daniel Parmenter, who served in the Union army. It is
said that he was shot in a Rebel prison while attempting to
send a letter home. He was a graduate of Norwich (Vt.)
University.
170. Edward C. Parker (Artemas,^ Peter, ^ Johti,^
'John,^ Hananiah,- Thomas^), son of Artemas and Almy
(Clark) Parker, was b. in Framingham, Sept. 26, 1806; m.
May 17, 1832, Mary Leland, b. in Holliston, April 6, 1808,
dau. of James and Betsey Leland of Holliston. He settled in
Holliston in the east part of the town, where he built the house
in which he still lives, adjacent to E. Holliston station. He
was a farmer and station agent, which latter position he held
for a great many years and which has now passed to his son.
His wife d. Aug. 31, 1879. He was the last survivor of his
family and d. in E. Holliston, Feb. 3, 1893, aged 86 years.
Their children were :
337. James Edward Parker, b. Feb. 19, 1834 ; m. Susan Mason
of Southbridge.
Joseph Stoddard Parker, b. March 28. 1839; m. just previous
to his enlistment, Clara Thompson. Enlisted in 1862 for nine
months in the 44th Mass. Reg. He served a part of the time at
Port Royal, S. C. He is conductor on Pullman excursion cars.
171. George Smith Parker (Artemas,^ Peter, '= John,^
yohn,^ Hananiah,- Thomas^ ), son of Artemas and Almy
(Clark) Parker, was b. in S. Framingham, April 19, 1808;
m. in New Scotland, N. Y., Oct. 14, 1829, Mary Ann White
of Albany, N. Y., b. in New Scotland, N. Y., Sept. 2, 1816,
dau. of Cobert and Sarah White. After three children were
b. to them in Albany, N. Y., they removed May 7, 1837, to
Holliston, where he was a shoemaker and where he d. Aug.
I, 1875. She d. in Medway, Nov. 23, 1887.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 305
Their children were :
George Smith Parker, Jr., b. Oct. 2, 1832 ; m. Mary Skahal.
338. Melvina Parker, b. Dec. 9, 1834; "^- (0 Alvin B. Batch-
elder, (2) William Batchelder.
339. Eliza Jane Parker, b. Feb. 2, 1837 5 ^- Luther H. Turner.
Mary Emeline Parker, b. Sept. 15, 1839; d. in Holliston, Aug.
5, 1841.
James William Parker, b. March 27, 1842 ; m. in St. John, N.
B., Catharine C. Godsoe. They had three children.
340. Charles Augustus Parker, b. Aug. 15, 1844 ; m. Eliza A.
Pettis of Holliston.
341. Henry Emerson Parker, b. Oct. 13, 1849; m. Ellen E.
M. Jones of Medway.
Edward Lorenzo Parker, b. July 2, 1852; d. in Chicago, 111.,
Nov. 20, 1872.
172. Curtis Parker (Artemas,^ Peier,^ Jo/in,^ John,'^
Hananiah,^ T/iomas'), son of Artemas and Almy (Clark)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, June 28, 1810; m. April 5,
1832, Eliza Jane Horton, b. April 14, 1810, dau. of William
and Hannah (Rice) Horton of Natick. He settled in Natick,
where he d. Dec. 25, 1873. She d. in Natick, May 28, 1888.
Their children were :
Sumner Wheelock Parker, b. Dec. 10, 1835 ; d. Dec. 8, 1S41.
342. Althea Wheelock Parker, b. Nov. 21, 1843; m. John
Lovett Sanger of Natick.
343. Sumner Horton Parker, b. Jan. 7, 1848; m. Emma Jane
Fay of Natick.
1 73. Lorenzo Parker (Artemas,^ Peter, ^ John,^ yohn,i
Hananiah^ Thomas'), son of Artemas and Almy (Clark)
Parker, was b. in Framingham, May 8, 1812. He learned
bookbinding of O. Boynton of Framingham, after which he
settled in Holliston and m. April 10, 1837, Mary E. Herrick,
b. in Portland, Me., Dec. 29, 1812, dau. of Moses and Mary
(Cogswell) Herrick. Moses Herrick was in the War of 1812
and d. soon after its close. Mary Cogswell was dau. of Will-
iam Cogswell of Lunenburg. Lorenzo Parker was a printer
and bookbinder. He kept a bookstore in Holliston for many
years, but in his later years he was a farmer. He lived on the
place where his widow still resides. He d. July 11, 1887.
20
3o6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
174. Eliza Jane Parker (Artemas,^ Peter, ^ Jokn,^
yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Artemas and Almy
(Clark) Parker, was b. in Framingham, June 6, 1817 ; m. in
Natick, Dec. 17, 1834, David Washburn, b. March 7, 1815,
son of Jedediah and Mitta Frost Washburn of Natick. He
was engaged in the shoe business most of his Hfe. They lived
in Natick. She d. March 12, 1884. He d. Aug. 17, 1887.
Their children were :
1. Almy Clark Washburn, b. Sept. 27, 1835; m. (i) Jan. i,
1S56, Charles M. Felch of Natick, where they resided. He
d. and she m. (2) Dec. 12, 1866, George W. Lewin. They
removed to Fall River, where she d. Oct. 9, 1888, and where
he still resides. Children :
I. Charles Sumner Felch, b. Jan. 2, 185S ; m. Nov. 26,
1884, Stella Daniels ; resides in Felchville, Natick, and
has one dau. :
I. Mabel Louise Felch, b. Sept. 10, 1886.
n. Jennie Almy Felch, b. Dec. 26, 1857 ! ^^- Ceorge
Winslow. They reside in Steep Brook, Fall River, and
have :
I. Charles Winslow. 2. Beula Winslow.
III. Fannie Lewin ; resides in Fall River, unm.
2. RoMANZO Neridin Washburn, b. July 4, 1839; m. Aug. 22,
1865, Annie Church of Augusta, Me. They lived in Natick,
where he d. March 22, 1887. She resides in Salem. Children :
I. Lorenzo Parker Washburn ; resides in Salem.
II. Walter Reynolds Washburn ; lived two or three years.
3. Mary Eliza Washburn, b. April 4, 1845 ; m. Sept. 6, 1865,
Sylvanus Stewart of Haverhill, where they reside and have
one son :
I. Ernest L. Stewart, b. Feb, 27, 1867; m. Bertha East-
man ; resides in Haverhill. Child :
I. EfRe Stewart.
4. Oscar Jedediah Washburn, b. Jan. 28, 1850 ; m. in Sherborn,
Jan. 8, 1876, Emma Jane Leland, dau. of Amariah and
Martha (Anderson) Leland, b. in Eden, Me., Nov. i, 1852.
He is a dentist and resides in Natick. Their child was :
I. David Leland Washburn, b. in Natick, Nov. 16, 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 307
175. Susan M. Parker ( Luther, t Philemon,^ yo7ias,i
Andrew,'' John,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Luther and
Dolly (Byam) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., March lo, 1826 ;
m. in Cavendish, Vt., Dec. 24, 1849, Horace Thompson of
Chester, b. in Chester, May 16, 1825. They reside in Caven-
dish.
Their children were :
1. William P. Thompson, b. in Cavendish, Vt., Aug. 20, 1855;
m. Nov. 28, 1878. He is overseer in a woolen factory.
2. Hattie M. Thompson, b. July 10, i860; m. April 22, 1883,
Alva T. Pierce of Cavendish.
176. Lucinda A. Parker ( Luther, ^ Philemon,^ Jonas, ^
Andrew,'' John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'-), dau. of Luther and
Dolly (Byam; Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., June 3, 1827 ;
m. Sept. 12, 1850, Josiah Ayers, b. in Windham, Vt., April
29, 1819, son of James Ayers of Windham. He was a farmer
in West Pawlet, Vt., where he d. Feb. 5, 1890.
Their children were :
1. Horace J. Ayers, b. Aug. 13, 1851 ; m. Jan. 7, 1873, Ella
Hicks, dau. of Daniel and Arathusa (Johnson) Hicks. Chil-
dren :
I. Addie L. Ayers, b. Jan. 28, 1876; d. Aug. 16, 1S88.
II. Mardie R. Ayers, b. Aug. 24, 1882.
2. George J. Ayers, b. Oct. 26, 1855 ; m. Feb. 17, 1878, Ida M.
Woodard, dau. of Marcelar and Mary A. (Miller) Woodard.
Their daughters were :
I. IsMA C. Ayers, b. Aug. 15, 1879.
II. Grace P. Ayers, b. July 3, 1882.
III. May B. Ayers, b. July 5, 1884.
IV. Leslie J. D. Ayers, b. July 19, 1886.
3. Addie L. Ayers, b. Aug. 20, 1867 ; d. March 5, 1870.
177. Sarah S. Parker (Luther,'' Philemon,^ Jonas,^
Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'), dau. of Luther and
Dolly (Byam) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., June 21, 1840;
m. April 5, 1868, Alvin W. Davis.
178. Mary Ann Parker (Calvin,'^ Philemon.^' Jonas,^
Andrew,-^ John,^ Hananiah,' Tho7nas'), dau. of Calvin and
Seba (Cutler) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., July 21, 1828 ;
308 PARKER GENEALOGY.
m. May i, 1849, Silas F. Baldwin, b. Oct. 4, 1822, son of
Nahum and Philinda (Harvey) Baldwin. He is a farmer in
Chester, Vt.
Their children were :
1. Elsie M. Baldwin, b. Feb. 23, 1853; m. Feb. 15, 1884, S.
Lincoln Hutchinson of New York City.
2. Oscar S. Baldwin, b. March 26, 1856; d. March 30, 1879.
3. William P. Baldwin, b. May 6, 1870.
179. Olive A. Parker (Calvin^'' Philemon,^ yonas,^
Andrew,"^ yohn,^ Hanantah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Calvin and
Seba (Cutler) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., Nov. 5, 1829;
m. March 12, 1856, Silas J. Smith, b. Jan. 7, 1825, son of
William and Ruth (Blodget) Smith. He is a farmer in
Chester Depot, Vt.
They have one dau. :
I. Grace O. Smith.
180. Fannie E. Parker ( Calvin,"^ Philemon^^ yonas,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Calvin and
Seba (Cutler) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., April 18, 1835 '■>
m. March 21, 1855, Calvin W. Bates, b. March 25, 1832,
son of James and Mary (Grimes) Bates. She d. Feb. 22,
1889.
Their children were :
I. Forest C. Bates. 2. Cora F. Bates.
181. James 'Pa.vV.O.viyokn,'' Philemon, ^yonas,^ Andrew,'^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'^), son of John and Ellen (John-
son) Parker, was b. in Chester, Vt., Dec. 14, 1825; m. (i)
Sept. 2, 1850, Sophia Hopkins, b. in Springfield, Vt., Sept.
26, 1835, dau. of Jotham and Esther (Perry) Hopkins. She
d. June 30, 1863, and he m. (2) March 23, 1864, Susan
Balch. He is a farmer and resides in Chester, Vt.
The children of James and Sophia (Hopkins) Parker were :
344. Emma S. Parker, b. in Chester, Vt., Aug. 17, 185 1 ; m.
Henry Philips.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 309
George E. Parker, b. in Springfield, Vt., March 26, 1855.
Abbie M. Parker, b. in Springfield, Vt., Sept. ti, 1857.
345. Nellie L. Parker, b. in Springfield, Vt., March "i
31, i860; m. Tyler Putnam. vTwins.
Nettie L. Parker, b. in Springfield, Vt., March 31, i860. )
The children of James and Susan (Balch) Parker were :
Frederic C. Parker, b. Dec. 14, 1864.
346. Lizzie A. Parker, b. April 23, 1866 ; m. Gilford Ellison.
Julia A. Parker, b. Aug. 29, 1871.
182. Amos Earle Parker (Joseph,^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,"^ 'John,^ Hanaiiiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Joseph and
Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Feb. 26, 1802 ;
m. Feb. 25, 1829, Matilda Converse of Bakersfield, by whom
the first two children were born. She d. July 26, 1832, and
he m. (2) June, 1833, Eunice W. Reid, by whom he had four
children. Her father was a native of Townshend, Vt. She
d. at the birth of her last child, July 24, 1842. He m. (3)
Jan. I, 1844, Roxanna McAllister of Enosburg, Vt., no issue.
She is still living, but he d. Sept. 25, 1881.
When at the age of two years he removed with his parents
to Bakersfield, Vt. At 24 he with about 20 other young men
gathered at St. Albans, where they on Jan. i, 1826, started
for New York with 22 yoke of oxen and 19 carts. They
were on the road 22 days in this journey ; they then filled in
low land for building purposes, which land is now in the busi-
ness part of the city. He then engaged in the carpenter's
trade, and during his three years' stay assisted as far as possi-
ble in the growth of this great city. Returning to Bakersfield
he was during the 23 years there a farmer, except the three
years when he kept the hotel in Bakersfield. He then bought
a farm in Fletcher, Vt. While in Fletcher he was honored
with all the offices in the gift of the town. He was selectman
for four or five years. In 1863 he was a recruiting officer and
he gladly gave to the new soldier his commission of $15 for
each recruit. He represented his town in the Legislature in
1862 and '63, also at the extra session to ratify the Emancipa-
tion Proclamation. He returned to Bakersfield in 1867, where
he held various offices of trust until his death, which occurred
Sept. 25, 1881. He was a large, finely proportioned man, five
3IO PARKER GENEALOGY.
feet eleven in height, and his usual weight being about 200.
In habits he was temperate in all things, as he neither used
liquors of any kind, tea, coffee or tobacco. He was a keen
critic and a despiser of shams, but large in charity and full of
original wit that made him a welcome guest in any society or
company.
The children were b. in Bakersfield :
HoLLis Parker, b. May, 1830; d. May 19, 1832.
347. Fanny M. Parker, b. May n, 1832; m. Ralph Madison
Blaisdell.
348. HoLLis Reid Parker, b. Aug. i, 1S35 ; m. Mary M. Mor-
row of Pennsylvania.
349. Jane A. Parker, b. June 20, 1838; m. Reuben H. Black-
stone.
Sumner Earl Parker, b. Oct. 28, 1839; killed at the storming of
Fredericksburg Heights, May 3, 1863. He was unm.
350. Worcester R. Parker, b. July 24, 1842; m. (i) Emma
F. Chase of Fletcher, Vt., (2) Hattie Pearson of Bakersfield, Vt.
183. Mary Robinson Parker (Joseph;' Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrezv,"^ 'John,^ Hanaiiiah,^ Thofuas' ), dau. of Joseph and
Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Jan. 5, 1804;
m. Matthew Gray of Bakersfield, Vt. She lived and d. in
Bakersfield.
They had five children, of whom two survive :
1. Seneca Gray.
2. Mary Ann Gray; m. Cheeseman, and resides in Cam-
bridge, Vt.
1 84. Joseph Sumner Parker (Joseph,"^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Audrezu,'^ yoh)i,^ Hananiah,^ Thotnas^), son of Joseph and
Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Oct. 27,
1806; m. Hall and removed to New York city, where
they resided and where she d. April, 1885. He was twice m.
He is deceased. He was a dealer in milk.
Their only child was :
Cornelia Susan Parker, b. in New York city, Dec. 22, 1832;
removed after the death of her parents to Bakersfield, Vt., and m.
in 1857, Henry Warner French of Barre, Vt., where she after-
wards resided. She d. April 4, 1885 ; he d. Sept., 1874. Child :
PARKER GENEALOGY. 31 1
I. Adell May French, b. in Barre, Vt., July 3, 1S59; m.
Sept. 29, 188 1, Ball of Barre, Vt., where she resides
and has one son :
I. Frank Warner Ball, b. Aug. 18, 1882.
Sophia Bigelow Parker (see page 177), (Josepi,^
Amos,^ Anios,^ Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau.
of Joseph and Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield,
Vt., April II, 1808; m. Dorastus Wright. They are both
deceased, but left one dau. :
1. Amanda Wright.
185. Euridicy E. Parker (Joseph,'' Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joseph and
Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., April 25,
1811 ; m. July 4, 1845, Micha French, b. in Barre, Vt., Jan.
2, 1803. They lived in Barre, Vt., where she d. April 27,
1865, and he d. May 9, 1888.
Their children were :
[. CoLMAN Sumner French, b. Nov. 27, 1847; m. in Chicago,
111., March 12, 1872, Abbie L. Southgate, dau. of Richard
and Martha (Alden) Southgate. He is station agent at
Hampton, la. Their son was :
\. Fred Porter French, b. July 27, 1877.
2. Alfred B. French, b. April 29, and d. Aug., 1830.
3. Fred O. French, b. Oct. 10, 1855 ; m. at Clinton, Mo., May
16, 1887, Bertha Custer, b. in London, O., Dec. 25, i860,
dau. of Berthier J. and Nellie (Tyler) Custer. He is book-
keeper for the Iowa Central Railroad Co. at Marshalltown, la.
186. Frederick Appleton Parker (Joseph,' Amos,^
Amos,5 Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'), son of Joseph
and Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, June 14,
1813; removed to New York city; m. Caroline Maxson of
Squankum, N. J. He was a hackman in New York. He is
deceased. She resides at Lakewood, N. J.
Their children were :
351. Joseph Albert Parker, b. Aug. i, 1842; m. Samantha
Wing Price.
352. Christianna Parker, b. Jan. 17, 1844; m. Emil Neesen
of Brooklyn, N. Y.
312 PARKER GENEALOGY.
353. Sarah Parker ; m. Henry Calenberg of Brooklyn, N. Y.
354. George Parker; m. Louisa Ross.
187. Betsey Lorinda Parker ( Joseph, ^ Amos, ^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ yohii,^ Uananiah,^ Thomas^ ), dau. of Joseph and
Relief (Earle) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Dec. lo,
i8i8 ; m. July 7, 1845, Oliver F. Stebbins, son of Jotham
Stebbins of Bakersfield. They lived first in Worcester, Mass.,
where their three children were born, and second in Athol.
He is deceased. She resides in W. Medford with her son.
Their children were :
1. Adelbert O. Stebbins, b. May 3, 1846; d. April 29, 1861.
2. Merrit E. Stebbins, b. Feb. 22, 1848 ; d. July 30, 1850.
3. Herbert Warner Stebbins, b. March 15, 1857. -^^ ^^^
graduated from Dartmouth College in the class of '78 ; then
entered the Theological Seminary at Andover, from which he
was graduated in 1882. He is a Congregational minister.
He m. Sept. 23, 1S86, Anna L. Spear.
188. Amos Y*2iV\i^X ( Sylvester ,^ Amos ,^ Amos ,'^ And^-ew ,''
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Sylvester and Alice
(Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., Dec. 29, 1800;
m. at Newark, Vt., June 8, 1825, Lorinda Fairbanks, b.
April 17, 1802. They lived in Lyndonville, Vt. She d.
Aug. 26, 1859. He d. Dec. 8, 1873.
Their children were :
Sarah Ann Parker, b. Aug. 22, 1826; d. Aug. 16, 1846.
355. Horace F. Parker, b. in Kirby, Vt., Oct. 6, 1829; m.
Mary Mianda Cole of Charleston, Vt.
Harriet W. Parker, b. Feb. 9, 1833 ; d. Sept. 18, 1835.
Abner R. Parker, b. May 7, 1835. Enlisted Nov. 19, 1863, in
Co. B, nth Reg., Vt. Vol. Heavy Artillery, was wounded in the
battle at Cedar Creek, Va., Oct. 19, 1864. He returned to the
hospital at Brattleboro, Vt., but getting worse was sent home the
5th of May, and d. July 31, 1865, aged 30 years.
356. Sophia W. Parker, b. Nov. 5, 1837 ' "^' Joseph H. Smith.
357. Ann Elizabeth Parker, b. Nov. i, 1840; m. Josiah D.
Smith.
189. Joel D, Parker (Sylvester,^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Sylvester and
Alice (Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., Oct. 9,
PARKER GENEALOGY.
313
Amos Parker.
314 PARKER GENEALOGY.
1802; m. Dec. 13, 1827, Lucy Wyman of Barnstead, P. Q^
The}'^ settled in Hatley, Can. He d. in Hatley, Nov. 29,
1881, aged 79, and his widow, Lucy Wyman Parker, survives
him at Hatley, and enjoys vigorous health at the advanced
age of 87.
Their children were :
358. Adaline L. Parker, b. March i, 1829; m. Asahel P. Parker.
359. Levi E. Parker, b. Aug. 5, 1830; m. Maria Howe.
360. Amanda M. Parker, b. June 23, 1836 ; m. Alfred Ives.
361. EdwinjW. Parker, b. March 13, 1842 ; m. Adella Gordon.
362. Alba W. Parker, b. June 18, 1S45 ; m. Ethel Emery.
363. Orville H. Parker, b. June i, 1848; m. Betsey Bowen.
Alice F. Parker, b. May 29, 1854; m. Sept. 3, 1880, H. F. Bar-
low of Lennoxville, P. Q., b. Nov. 14, 1849, ^°" °^ Horace (who
d. in St. Johnsbury, Vt., 1883) and Rachel (Glidden) (of Water-
ville, P. Q:) Barlow. He is a general store-keeper in Magog,
P. Q_., where they reside.
190. Alice Parker ( Sylvester ^'1 Amos ^^ Amos y> Andrew,'^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Sylvester and Alice
(Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., June 22, 1808 ;
m. April 27, 1828, Henry Coburn, b. Aug. 3, 1799; d. Feb.
18, 1870. She d. Sept. 6, 1887.
Their children were :
1. HoLLis P. Coburn, b. Nov. 24, 1828 ; m. March 25, i860, Flora
A. Stiles, dau. of Wm. R. Stiles of Albany, Vt. They have :
I. Clarence E. Coburn, b. Sept. 22, i86i ; m. Lucy E.
Gallup. They reside in N. Troy, Vt., and have a son :
I. Harry A. Coburn.
II. Sidney R. Coburn, b. Oct. 13, 1869; m. July 25, 1888,
Jennie Smith. They reside in Barton, Vt.
III. Avis F. Coburn, b. Oct. 23, 1872 ; d. Feb. 25, 1879.
IV. Roy W. H. Coburn, b. Jan. 20, 1881.
2. Alice P. Coburn, b. March 25, 1S33 ; d. Feb. 27, 1835.
3. Lucy Rosaline Coburx, b. in Lyndon, Vt., Dec. 6, 1835 ; m.
Dec. 22, 1863, in Albany, Vt., Hiram M. Hunter, b. Aug.
II, 1838, son of Ira and Nancy Hunter of Albany, Vt. He is
a farmer in East Albany, near Irasburgh, Vt. Their dau. :
I. Alice L. Hunter, b. in Albany, Vt., April 4, 1867 ; m.
Sept. 12, 1889, George A. Sawyer.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 315
191. Amory 'Pa.vliLeT ( Sylvesier,^ Amos ,^ Amos ,s Andrew ,'^
'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas"^), son of Sylvester and Alice
(Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., April 15, 1811 ;
m. Nov. 10, 1841, Susan Oilman of Lyndon, Vt. They settled
at Island Pond, Vt., where they still reside.
They have two children :
Albert Parker, b. 1843 ; unm. Resides at Island Pond, Vt.,
where he is in the employ of the Grand Trunk R. R.
Nellie Parker ; m. George W. Warner, and resides at Washburn,
Byfield Co., Wis.
192. Lucy 'POiXV.^V ( Sylvester ^T Amos ,^ Amos ^'i Andrew ^'^
yohn,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), dau. of Sylvester aud Alice
(Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., May 24, 1813 ;
m. Nov. I, 1836, John Alexander, b. Aug. 14, 1812, d. Aug.
10, 1881, son of Abram Alexander, who was a private in the
war of 1776, and who d. May 23, 1851, aged 92, and whose
wife lived to the age of 86. She d. June 20, 1865, and he m.
(2) Feb. 8, 1866, Mrs. Laura Dalgson.
The children of Lucy Parker were :
1. William W. Alexander, b. May 21, 1839 ; d. March 29, 1S42.
2. Abram Alexander, b. April 30, 1841 ; m. July 20, 1874,
Sarah M. Scranton. They reside in Cambridgeport, and have
had:
I. Lucy Alexander, b. Feb. 2, 1877 ; d. aged five weeks.
II. Georgia Alexander, b. April 15, 1879.
3. Betsey A. Alexander, b. May 9, 1843 ' "^- F^b. 11, 1864, J.
H. M. Cochran. He d. Aug., 1885, without issue. She re-
sides in Santa Ana, Cal.
4. Lucy Jane Alexander, b. Sept. 14, 1845 ; d. April 29, 1865.
5. Charles Henry Alexander, b. Feb. 3, 1853 ; d. May 12, 1874.
193. Rhoena Parker ( Sylvester,"^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ 'John,^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Sylvester and
Alice (Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., July 24,
1815 ; m. Jan. i, 1840, Silas N. Howe, then of Westfield, Vt.,
b. in Ludlow, Vt., Oct. 23, 181 1, son of Silas and Phebe
(Newell) Howe, native of Holden, Mass. He was the fifth in
a family of eleven children (b. between 1802 and 1822), some
of whom removed to the State of Vermont. He was a farmer.
3l6 PARKER GENEALOGY.
They lived in Troy, Vt., from whence they removed to Iras-
burg, Vt., March 8, 1854, where she d. July 6, 1881, and he
d. Oct. 30, 1887.
Their children were :
1. Edward Sylvester Howe, b. in Troy, Vt., March 7, 1846;
m. Sept. 17, 1868, Lavina Hammond of Coventry, Vt., b.
in Coventry, Sept. 17, 1849. They reside at Barton Landing,
Vt.
2. George Newell Howe, b. in Irasburg, Vt., Sept. 10, 1871.
194. Samuel ^.'PSiV^^V (Sylvester, t Amos, ^ A?nos,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Sylvester and
Alice (Davis) Parker, was b. in Westminster, Vt., Dec. 27,
1820. He with his brother Amory are the only surviving
members of the family of nine children of Sylvester and Alice
(Davis) Parker. He was the youngest, and although in his
infancy seemed the most delicate of all, yet since has developed
a very strong and rugged physique. He was six months old
when his parents removed to Lyndon, Vt., where he lived 14
years. His early education was the plain, scanty instruction
which the place and the limited means of the family afforded.
He was, to quote his own words, " a better trout catcher than
scholar." From early childhood he showed, as was necessary
for one in his circumstances, an energetic and worthy applica-
tion for work and industry. Removing from Lyndon to
Derby, Vt., he worked on his father's farm living with and
supporting his parents in their old age, also working at car-
pentering summers and chopping cord wood winters at 25
cents a cord, finally leaving for pastures new he took passage
at Burlington for Whitehall, N. Y., on the first steamboat he
ever saw ; thence proceeded to Albany and from there by
canal packet to Buffalo, a distance of 300 miles in seven days ;
thence by steamboats through lakes Erie, St. Clair, Huron
and Michigan to Southport, which is now Kenuska, Wis.
There he was first a carpenter, and later a maker of pipe
organs. Being ingenious with tools and having a fine ear
for music he continued in the latter business until 1847, when
he returned to Bakersfield, Vt. He then, in 1848, m. Harriet
Field, dau. of Ebenezer W. and Adah (Davis) Field of
PARKER GENEALOGY.
317
Samuel W. Parker.
3l8 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Bakersfield and settled in Coventry, Vt. He was a success-
ful mechanic, made pianos, wagons and sleighs, also made and
repaired furniture. He made four trips annually through the
settled portions of the State in tuning pianos and organs.
He removed with his family to Newport, Vt., in 1869,
where he opened the music store which is still conducted by
his successors. Ever an enterprising and public-spirited citi-
zen, he has taken a personal part in the development of the
West and South. He is thus very widely known and is as
highly esteemed by all. In temperament his genial nature,
hospitality and good will are ever bubbling to the surface.
He has by his great industry and good judgment accumulated
a very goodly estate from the smallest of beginnings. Owing
to his interest and pains is partly due the fulness of the records
of his own and allied families in this genealogy.
Their children were :
George O. Parker, b. Nov. 6, 1848 ; was drowned in Dec, 1859.
Homer E. Parker, b. May 4, 1858 ; d. June 15, 1862.
364. Eliza E. Parker, b. Aug. 5, 1853; m. Nov. 6, 1874,
Edward H. Boden.
Florence E. Parker, b. Dec. 29, i860; m. May 11, 1882, George
H. Newland. They have no issue.
195. Lucinda Bangs Parker (Bana,^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrezv,^ yo/i)i,^ Hanamah,^ T/winas^), dau. of Dana R. and
Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston,
March 9, 1807 ; m. in Hubbardston, Aug. 28, 1832, Eli Gray,
son of Simeon and Sarah (Treadwell) Gray of Templeton.
They lived in Templeton, where she d. Dec. 30, 1856. He m.
(2) Mrs. Maria E. Hutchinson, who survives. He d. at the
age of 83 years, Jan. 17, 1889.
Their children were :
1. Infant dau., b. and d. June 8, 1833.
2. Marshall E. Gray, b. Aug. 27, and d. Oct. 11, 1S34.
3. Lucinda Sophia Gray, b. Sept. 21, 1835; m. May 12, 1855,
Leonard Hunting, b. in Hubbardston, March 19, 1826, son of
Lemuel and Polly (Baker) Hunting of Hubbardston. They
reside in Worcester. Their children were :
I. Lewis Pratt Hunting, b. in Templeton, Aug. 13, 1S56 ;
m. Nov. 13, 1878, Josephine Williams of Templeton,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 319
dau. of James Williams. He resides near Baldwinsville.
Their children were :
I. James Hunting. 2. George Hunting. 3. Herbert Hunting.
II. LuciNDA Maria Hunting, b. in Phillipston, July 1 , 1857 5
d. Jan. 30, 1858.
III. Ada Louisa Hunting, b. in Templeton, April 5, i860;
d. Nov. 13, r86i.
IV. Frederick M. Hunting, b. in Templeton, Aug. 13,
1863 ; resides in Worcester.
V. Eli Adelbert Hunting, b. in Templeton, Oct. 25, 1864 ;
m. Minnie Merritt of Templeton, dau. of John Merritt.
They reside in E. Templeton. No surviving issue.
VI. Leonard Leslie Hunting, b. in Templeton, Jan. 5,
1867 ; resides in Worcester.
VII. Charles Everard Hunting, b. in Templeton, Aug. 12,
1S72.
VIII. Alice Effie Hunting, b. in Templeton, June 18, 1875 ;
d. Aug. 16, 1876.
Eli Elbia Gray, b. Sept. 17, 1836; m. (i) in Fitzwilliam,
May 29, 1862, Rebecca Elizabeth Newton, b. March 5, 1845,
d. May 10, 1873, dau. of Asa and Rebecca Prescott (Dolbear)
Newton. They had three children. He m. (2) Emma Briggs,
b. May 20, 1844, dau. of Franklin and Lydia (Johnson)
Briggs. He was a teamster in Templeton. Children :
I. Hattie Lucinda Gray, b. in Templeton, June 20, 1863 ;
m. in Baldwinsville, March 2, 1881, Fredric S. Coy, b.
in East Cambridge, July 10, 1858, son of Horace S. and
Lucy E. (Babb) Coy. He is a hotel-keeper.
II. William Newton Gray, b. in Templeton, May 13, 1S66 ;
m- Houghton of Athol. They reside in Baldwins-
ville and have a son and dau.
III. Mabel Evelina Gray, b. in Templeton, July 19, 1868;
m. Frank Smith of Templeton.
Simeon Dennison Parker Gray, b. Dec. 6, 1S41 ; m. (i)
March 27, 1864, Almanza S. Clayton, and had:
I. Alice Clayton Gray, b. Feb. 15, 1869.
II. Herbert Gray, b. Jan. 29, and d. July 28, 1871.
m. (2) Feb. 20, 1873, Susan E. Knowlton, and had:
III. Edith Goddard Gray, b. Jan. 9, 1874.
IV. Anna Louisa Gray, b. July 14, and d. Aug. 23, 1876.
V. Eva Maria Gray, b. Jan. 16, 1880.
320 PARKER GENEALOGY.
6. Amos Wilberforce Gray, b. April 6, 1843. He enlisted as a
recruit in Co. C, 27th Reg., Mass. Vols., in March, 1862. In
April he joined his regiment near Newberne, N. C. Through
the summer they were kept in that vicinity on guard duty. He
was eight months in the service when he was taken sick and
d. in the hospital at Washington, N. C, Dec. 5, 1862, at the
age of 19 years.
7. Infant son, b. and d. March 15, 1846.
8. John Marshall Gray, b. April 6, 1847 5 ^- Joanna Wood.
He d. Sept. 24, 1880, and left no issue.
196. Sarah Davis Parker (Dana;> Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R. and
Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, June
7, 1808 ; m. March 18, 1830, Oliver Hale of Hubbardston, son
of Luther Hale, who came from Leominster to Hubbardston
about 1788, m. three times and had a family of 15 children,
Oliver being the ninth, b. Sept. 28, 1804. In the midst of
life, while en route for San Francisco, he w^as drowned off the
southern coast of California by wreck and burning of steamer
Independence in 1853, and was buried on Magdelena Island
with 240 others who perished out of 800 passengers. He d.
Feb. 16, 1853. His brother-in-law, Amory Parker, who now
lives in Hubbardston, was on the same ship. She still resides
in Hubbardston with her children.
The three brothers, John Williams, Jonas and Dennison Robinson Parker,
sons of Dana R. Parker, removed to New York city early in life. The issue
of John W. as far as is known appears above. Jonas Parker m. Susan Ann
Decker, and Dennison R. Parker m. Mary A. Vroome, both of Staten Island,
N. Y. Thev each left families in or near New York city, but whose present
whereabouts I am unable to state. Jonas Parker went to S. Carolina about
1874; he was in Aiken, S. C, in 1SS6, and his dau. m. there. He is probably
deceased. He had a son whose name was probably Amos Parker, who is sup-
posed to be living in the vicinity of New York city.
Dennison Robinson Parker is deceased. He had two daughters, who are
supposed to be married, and it is supposed that one lives in the vicinity of
Boston.
"Of Dana R. Parker's descendants," writes one of them, " I can only say
that they are in about as widely scattered pursuits at present as any I ever
knew : bankers, railway managers, civil engineers, doctors, lawyers, steam-
boat men and manufacturers. Had I the time I could write quite a history of
their pursuits. I should say, however, that I never knew a politician among
them. They are travelled, having been from Maine to California, where some
are now. Some are silver mining in Mexico."
PARKER GENEALOGY. 321
Their children were :
1. John Otis Hale, b. April 2, 1831 ; m. Nov. 7, i860, Lucy
Browning of Hubbardston. He d. Dec. 8, 1873, and she d.
Jan. 28, 1878. They left five children :
I. Abby Calista Hale, b. July 21, 1862.
II. Oliver Hale, b. Dec. 12, 1863.
III. Joshua Browning Hale, b. June 14, 1864.
IV. John Otis Hale, b. Dec. i, 1866.
V. Lucy Dorrit Hale, b. Aug. 18, 1868.
2. Sarah Maria Hale, b. Aug. 3, 1833 ; m. Aug. 31, 1S62, Luke
Davis of Boston. He d. Aug. 29, 1883, leaving no issue.
She resides in Newton.
3. Minerva F. Hale, b. June 27, 1837 ; resides in Hubbardston.
4. Catherine Swan Hale, b. June 8, 1841 ; unm. | ™ .
5. Clara Swan Hale, b. June 8, 184 1 ; unm. I
6. Seth p. Hale, b. Feb. 12, 1846; m. Dec. 2, 1867, Abby
Bennett of Hubbardston. She d. March 8, 1888. Child:
I. William Bennett Hale, b. May 14, 1871.
John Williams Parker (see page i*] ()), (D ana, ^ Amos, ^
Amosy> Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Dana
R. and Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbard-
ston, March 5, 1810; removed to New York city or vicinity;
m. Jan. i, 1837, Nancy F. Barr of New York city, b. in New
York city, 1817. She d. July 30, 1847. He d. about 1874.
Their children were :
George W. L. Parker, b. Jan. 20, 1840; was twice m. ; was a
steamboat man and lived in East New York, L. I.
Mary L. Parker, b. Dec. 26, 1S41 ; m. William A. Heywood (see
page 322).
197. Priscilla Elvira Parker ( Dana,'} Amos, ^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R. and
Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Nov.
28, 1811 ; m. Aug. 31, 1835, Seth P. Heywood of Barre, son
of the Heywood family of Shrewsbury and connected with the
Worcester, Gardner and Fitchburg families of this name.
His mother, Alice (Pratt) Heywood, was also a native of
Shrewsbury. Seth P. Heywood and wife settled in Barre
and had two sons. She d. Dec, 1876, aged 65 years, and he
322 PARKER GENEALOGY.
m. her sister, Martha Maria Parker (see No. 201), and resides
in Barre Plains.
Their children were :
1. William Austin Heyw^ood, b. Jan. 13, 1841 ; m. Mary L.
Parker, b. Dec. 26, 1841, dau. of John Wilh'ams and Nancy F.
(Barr) Parker (see page 321). She d. April 20, 1862, and he
m. (2) Amanda Sanderson of Barre. They reside in Spring-
field and have one son :
I. Frank A. Heywood, in the employ of the B. & A. R. R.
2. Phineas Heywood, b. July 9, 1845 ; m. Nov. 8, 1864, Hattie
Louisa King, dau. of Charles and Harriet D. King, both of
Rutland. He is station agent at Barre Plains. Children :
I. Hattie Elvira Heywood, b. Oct. 11, 1868; d. March
17, 1889.
II. Ernest Pratt Heywood, b. Jan. 24, 1876.
198. SophroniaPsLvliier ( Da na,T Amos, ^ Amos, 5 Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R. and Sarah
Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Nov. 26,
1815 ; m. June 21, 1836, Henry Humphrey of Athol Centre,
b. Nov. 7, 1795, d. Jan. 9, 1882. He was son of Dr. Royal
and Eusebia Humphrey. He was the second physician of
Athol. Dr. Royal Humphrey was son of Rev. James Hum-
phrey, who was the first minister of Athol, where he was
settled in 1750. She resides in Athol Centre.
Their children were :
1. Henry M. Humphrey, b. March 21, 1837 ' ^' ^" infancy.
2. Henry M. Humphrey, b. Aug. 10, 1840; m. Oct. 18, 1866,
Abbie F. Holton. He represented his district in the Legisla-
ture of 1882, and was chairman of Athol's School Committee
for four years. Their children were :
I. John H. Humphrey, b. Aug. 6, 1867 ; m. Nov. 12, 1890,
Clara H. Ward of S. Carolina.
II. Helen M. Humphrey, b. Sept. 7, 1870.
3. Helen A. Humphrey, b. Jan. 3, 1844; d. in infancy.
199. Mary Parker (Dana,^ Ajuos,^ Amos, ^ Andrew,^
John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R. and Sarah
Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Jul}^ 11,
PARKER GENEALOGY. 323
1821 ; m. May 5, 1842, George Raymond of Westminster.
They are both deceased.
Their son was :
I. Joseph L. Raymond, b. June 14, 1857; ^- Nov. 19, 1878,
Clara L. Miller, b. Jan. 26, 1861, dau. of George W. and
Susan P. (Brooks) Miller. They reside in Westminster.
Their children were :
I. Louis Raymond, b. May 11, and d. June i, 1880.
II. Arthur N. Raymond, b. Feb. 10, 1887.
III. Alice F. Raymond, b. Dec. 17, 1888.
200. Amos Parker (Dana,^ Amos,^ Amos,^ Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Dana R. and Sarah
Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Feb. 12,
1823 ; m. April 2, 1844, Lucy M. Shepard of Oakham, b.
April 29, 1825 or 6, dau. of Samuel Shepard. Amos Parker
d. in Worcester, Mass., Oct. 29, 1849.
Their only son was :
Amos E. Parker, b. in Barre Plains, Nov. i, 1S48 ; m. Oct. 15,
1874, Ruth Eleanore Dorsey, b. in Roxbury Mills, Howard Co.,
Md., dau. of John Alrastus Dorsey, Esq., Judge of Orphan's
Court, Howard Co., Md. He is a physician. They reside in
Philadelphia, Pa.
201. Martha Maria Parker ( Dana, t Amos, ^ A7nos,^
Andrew,^ 'John,T> Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R.
and Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston,
July 9, 1825 ; m. July 2, 1844, Lysander Batchelder of Athol.
He d. March 20, 1872, aged 49 years, 7 months, 14 days.
She m. (2) Aug , 1877, Seth P. Heywood, widower of her
sister Priscilla Elvira Parker (No. 197). They reside in
Barre.
The children of Lysander and Martha Maria (Parker)
Batchelder were :
1. HuLDAH M. Batchelder, b. Feb. 12, 1846; m. George W.
Richey. She is deceased.
2. Angela Batchelder, b. May 6, 1852 ; m. John C. Dalton, Jr.
They reside in Salem. No issue.
324
PARKER GENEALOGY.
202. Susan Elizabeth Parker (Dana,^ Amos,^Amos,5
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dana R.
and Sarah Davis (Williams) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston,
April 9, 1823 ; m. Oct. 6, 1848, Henry Burr Howells of New
York city, native of Hartford, Ct., son of William A. and
Alice M. Howells. He d. May 12, 1889. She is a noted
songstress ; resides in San Francisco.
Their children were :
1. Charlotte Elizabeth Howells, b. April 17, 1852; m.
Henry Kunz of San Francisco. Their son :
I. Charles H. B. Kunz.
2. Vera Amoretta Howells, b. Nov. 7, 1854; ""•• Robert E.
Astell, a resident of Canada. They have a dau :
I. Lottie E. Astell, b. Feb. 27, 1877.
3. Theodore H. Northrup Howells, b. Feb, 7, 1865 ; m.
Beppie B. Lee of Weaverville, Cal.
4. Edward E. Northrup Howells, b. May 30, 1866.
5. Grace Aguilla Howells, b. May 30, 1871.
6. Ralph Burr Howells, b. May 22, 1873.
203. Amos Andrew Parker (Amory,^ Amos,^ Amos,^
Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thotnas^ ), son of Amory and
Lydia (Parker) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Oct. 28,
1814. He removed from the northern part of the State to
Cavendish in April, 1835. He m. in Cavendish, May 4, 1837,
Cynthia Pratt, b. in Reading, Vt., April 28, 181 1, dau. and
sixth child in the family of nine children, of Luther and
Susanna (Childs) Pratt. Luther Pratt was a native of Fitch-
burg and his wife was the third dau. of David and Lydia
(Stearns) Childs, who both settled in Westminster about 1775.
Luther Pratt was brother to Levi Pratt and son of David Pratt,
both of Fitchburg. Her sister, Nancy (Childs) Ward, the
youngest of this family of nine children, was b. July 20, 1790,
and is still living. She is a very remarkable lady and retains
her memory well. She resides in Amsden, Vt., with her
grandson Charles Ward.
Cynthia Parker d. Nov. 14, 1857. Mr. Parker afterwards
m. in Reading, Vt., Feb. 24, 1859, Almira Foster, b. in
Reading, July 11, 1813, dau. of George Foster, a native of
PARKER GENEALOGY. 325
Dudley, Mass. Traditions in her family show that seven
brothers of the name of Foster came from England at an early
day and that her family were among the descendants of one of
them. Her mother, Willaba (Chamberlain) Foster, was dau.
of Abiel Chamberlain, was b. in Woodstock, Ct., Aug. 29,
1772, and a descendant also of the Peak and Ainsworth fami-
lies. The children of Mr. Parker were all b. before the de-
cease of his first wife, Cynthia. He has great-grandchildren.
Mr. and Mrs. Parker settled in Cavendish where they re-
sided for over 20 years. He remained on the same farm till
he m. the second time, then, in i860, he settled in Reading,
Vt., her native place, where they still reside. He is a farmer
in S. Reading, Vt.
The children of Amos Andrew and Cynthia (Pratt) Parker,
all b. in Cavendish, Vt., were :
Earl Parker, b. Oct. 30, 1S38 ; d. May 4, 1840.
Lydia Ann Parker, b. June 15, 1840; m. April 9, 1861, Joseph
H. Adams, son of Samuel H. and Salome F. (Seaver) Adams of
Cavendish, Vt. They reside at Cavendish. No issue.
365. Sarah Emily Parker, b. Aug. 9, 1841 ; m. Lewis Russell.
Amory Earl Parker, b. Oct. 22, 1842 ; d. July iS, 1S43.
Dane Parker, b. Dec. 11, 1843 ; d. Nov. 3, 1846. ~)
Dennison Parker, b. Dec. 11, 1843 ; served in the war |
of 1861, enlisting when quite young. He d. in the Y Twins.
Brigade Hospital at Union Mills, Va., June 21, 1863, I
of typhoid pneumonia. J
LucRETiA Jane Parker, b. Dec. 2, 1845 ; d. Nov^ 30, 1846.
Helen Maria Parker, b. July 7, 1847 ; d. Aug. 31, 1865.
366. Mary Frances Parker, b. May 9, 1849; m. Lyman L.
Howard.
Martha Augusta Parker, b. May 4, 1851 ; d. Sept. 13, 1870.
367. George W. Parker, b. Nov. 25, 1854; m. Mary E. Rist.
204. Elisha Sylvester 'Psirker (A^nory,^ Amos, ^ Amos, s
Andrezv,^ 'John,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Amory and
Lydia (Parker) Parker, was b. in Bakersheld, Vt., Nov. 11,
1819 ; m. a Miss Barnes for his first wife. They removed to
New York city, afterwards lived in Mamaroneck, N. Y. He
was a butcher in early life, later a farmer. He d. about 1885,
and his second wife d. July, 1889.
326 PARKER GENEALOGY.
His children were :
George A. Parker ; he served in the war for the Union, and has
been a showman in New Haven. Ct.
Harry M. Parker ; he is the originator and conductor of the well-
known Parker's Circus d'Canine ; he has educated a troupe of
remarkably well-trained dogs and has for years exhibited them
with ability and success.
205. Betsey Curwen Parker (Joel,^ Isaac,^ Amos,^
Andrezu,^ yokn,^ Hanainah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joel and
Hannah (Bond) Parker, was b. in Westborough, Jan. 20,
1799 : m. May 14, 1823, Dea. Elmer Brigham of Westborough,
b. Sept. 8, 1798; d. March 3, 1871. They lived in West-
borough, where she d. Nov. 29, 1875. He was a farmer.
Their children were :
1. Ellen Elizabeth Brigham, b. March 3, 1824; m. May 12,
1847, David W. Hill of Westminster. She d. Sept. 13, 1848,
leaving no issue. He resides in Westminster.
2. Jannette Hannah Brigham, b. Jan. 9, 1827; m. April 6,
1848, Archelaus M. Howe of Westborough, b. April 21, 1823,
son of Luther and Lucy (Brigham) Howe, a native of Vernon,
Vt. Their children were :
I. Arthur L. Howe, b. Nov. 27, 184S ; d. Oct. 13, 1849.
11. Elmer Parker Howe, b. Nov. i, 1851. He is a law-
yer in Boston.
3. Merrick Putnam Brigham, b. March 9, 1829; m. May 21,
185 1, Sarah E. Wellington. He d. Dec. 10, 1875. She re-
sides in Attleborough. Their children were :
I. Edward Brigham ; m. Elizabeth Brightman of Fall
River. They reside in Attleborough and have four
children.
II. Sabra Brigham ; m. George Cole. They reside in
Attleborough and have children :
I. Ralph Cole. 2. Edith Cole.
III. Walter Brigham ; m. Julia Briggs. He is deceased.
Their son was :
I. Charles Brigham.
IV. Alfred Brigham ; resides in Attleborough ; is m. and
has two children.
4. Anna Parker Brigham, b. Sept. 18, 1832 ; m. Feb. 3, 1853,
Cliarles A. Harrington. He resides in Westborough. She d.
Feb. 26, 1870. No issue.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 327
5. Sophia Augusta Brigham, b. July 10, 1837 ' ^- April 17, 1842.
6. Susan Parker Brigham, b. Jan. 4, 1840; d. Oct. 14, 1863.
7. Charles Elmer Brigham, b. March 14, 1842 ; m. March 2,
1866, Ellen Davis. He d, July 28, 1877. N° issue.
8. Calvin Lloyd Brigham, b. July 30, 1844; m. (i) Oct. 11,
1866, Mary Millerson Brown. She d. April 6, 1875, and he
m. (2) June, 1875, Ethie Burpee of Sterling. He has one dau. :
I. Alice A. Brigham, b. May 10, i868.
206. Hannah Sophia Parker (Joel,'' Isaac, ^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joel and
Hannah (Bond) Parker, was b. in Westborough, April 5,
1801 ; m. Nov. 3, 1826, Orestes Forbush of Westborough, b.
1797 ; d. June 21, 1846. She d. July 26, 1833.
Their children were :
1. Lorenzo P. Forbush, b. Oct. 11, 1827; d. young.
2. Andrew P. Forbush, b. Nov. 11, 1829; m. (i) Ward of
Princeton ; nm. (2) Davis. He resides in Princeton.
207. Achsah Forbes Parker ( Joel, t Isaac, ^ Ajuos,^
Andrew,'^ John,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), was b. in Westbor-
ough, Sept. 2, 1803 ; m. April 10, 1826, Solomon T. Fay, b.
Aug. 21, 1803, son of Benjamin Fay. He d. Nov. 11, 1872.
She d. in Westborough, Aug. 9, 1891, at the age of nearly
88. She had 28 grandchildren, 23 of whom are living.
Their children were :
1. Henry Clinton Fay, b. March 4, 1827; m. Carrie E. Tall-
man. He is the pastor of the Congregational Church of N.
Reading and resides in Somerville. They have children.
2. George Ellis Fay, b. in Shrewsbury, Jan. 13, 1829; m.
April 10, 1851, Eliza Ward, b. in Framingham, April 5,
1829, dau. of Putnam and Betsey Ward, who were both
natives of Southborough. They reside in Westborough.
Their children were all b. in Westborough :
I. Charles Ellis Fay, b. Dec. 9, 1852 ; m. Ella Dale of
E. Exeter, Me., and have :
1. Avis Arvilla Fay, b. in E. Exeter, Me., Nov. 24, 1881.
2. Mildred Fay, b. in E. Exeter, Me., June 23, 1884.
II. Austin Hamilton Fay, b. Oct. 21, 1857; m. Capitolia
Aseneth Thompson. They have one dau. :
I. Ethel Aseneth Fay, b. in Boston, Sept. 9, 1880.
328 PARKER GENEALOGY.
III. Evangeline Louana Fay, b. Feb. 6, 1874; m. Oct. 12,
1891, Everett L. Metcalf of Butte City, Mont.
3. Abbie Ann Fay, b. Nov. 28, 1830; m. April 7, 1855, B"^'
Newman, b. in S. Egremont, Mass., Sept. 29, 1827, son of
Samuel and Permelia (Curtis) Newman. Children :
I. Henry Dexter Newman, b. in Shakopee, Scott Co.,
Minn., Feb. 5, 1856; d. Aug. 11, 1884.
II. Annie Sherrard Newman, b. in Alton, 111., Dec. 9, 1857.
III. Samuel Curtis Newman, b. in Delavan, 111., Nov. 13,
1862; m. in Kenosha, Wis., Sept. 3, 1891, Alice Fel-
lows. Their dau. was :
I. Amy Fay Newman, b. Sept. 4, 1892.
IV. Emma Newman, b. in Delavan, 111., June 7? 1867; m.
Aug. 4, 1892, Elmer E. Giles.
V. Fred Newman, b. in Delavan, 111., Jan. 17, 1870.
4. S. Dexter Fay, b. Jan. 15, 1833 ; m. Aug., i860, Mrs. Mary
Atwood (Robbins) Merriam,b. in Plymouth, April 11, 1833,
dau. of Chandler and Elenor (Holmes) Robbins of Plymouth.
They reside in Westborough and their children were :
I. Louise Frances Fay, b. June 10, i860; d. July 2, 1885.
II. Fred Dexter Fay, b. May 8, 1870; d. Sept. 18, 1876.
5. Susan Augusta Fay, b. June 23, 1835 ; d. Aug. 12, 1837.
6. Joel Parker Fay, b. March 30, 1838; m. Oct. 9, 1867,
Susan E. Capen. Resides in Westborough. They have two
children. One dau,, Gracie.
7. Francis Taylor Fay, b. Nov. 6, 1840; m. (i) Julia Hamlin,
and had four children ; m. (2) Jennie Holmes, and has three
children. Resides in Stamford, Ct.
8. Susan Augusta Fay, b. July 19, 1843 ; d. Oct. 6, 1863.
9. Charles Gilbert Fay, b. March 27, 1846 ; d. Sept. 23, 1862.
10. Sarah Maria Fay, b. March 5, 1848 ; m. in Westborough,
Nov. 25, 1870, Edward F. Mellen, b. in Ashland, Sept. 9,
1849, ^^'^ °^ Isaac and Sarah Mellen. He is a locomotive
engineer. Their children were :
I. Eddie N. Mellen, b. in Ashland, April 20, 1874; d.
June 6, 1878.
II. Ralph W. Mellen, b. in Ashland, Aug. 5, 1879.
III. Edith L. Mellen, b. in Boston, April 8, 1883 ; d. June
28, 1884.
11. Martha Stowe Fay, b. May 9, 1850; m. Wilmot B. Rice.
They reside in Stamford, Ct., and have four children.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 329
208. Elmina Augusta Parker (JoeUi Isaac, ^ Amos, '!>
Andrew,'' yoJin,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joel and
Hannah (Bond) Parker, was b. in Westborough, Nov. i6,
1806; m. April 10, 1827, Thomas Hubbard Fayerweather of
Westborough (grandson of Thomas), b. May i6, 1806; d.
Feb. 23, 1879. She d. Oct. 21, 1861. The Fayerweather
family has long been prominently connected with the growth
of the town.
Their children were :
1. John Lloyd Fayerweather, b. Sept. 27, 1827; d. Oct. 30,
1892, unm.
2. Charles Hubbard Fayerweather, b. April 22, 1830; m.
Harriet Fay. They have had two daughters :
I. Elizabeth Augusta Fayerweather, b. April 25, 1854 ;
d. Feb. 23, 1889.
II. Nellie Hubbard Fayerweather, b. Oct. i, 1859; "^•
Charles Piper and resides in Boston.
3. George Thomas Fayerweather, b. Aug. 27, 1840; m. Nellie
Brown of Westborough. He d. March 8, 1893. Children:
I. Frank R. Fayerweather ; in the Custom House, Boston.
II. John Harrison Fayerweather ; res. Westborough.
4. Henry Edward Fayerweather, b. April 26, 1843 ; m. Mary
Bennett of Worcester. He was connected with the Worcester
police force for several years, and since has been truant officer
of the Public Schools of Worcester.
209. Harriet Newell Parker (JoeUT Isaac, ^ Amos, '^
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hana^iiak,^ Thomas^), dau. of Joel and
Hannah (Bond) Parker, was b. in Westborough, Aug. 16,
1815 ; m. in Westborough, April 19, 1834, Mendal Gilbert
Fosgate of Berlin, b. in Vermont, May 16, 1809, son of Men-
dall and Sally (Spofford) Fosgate. He d. in Washington,
D. C, Feb. 2, 1885. She d. July, 1869.
Their children were :
I. Harriet Parker Fosgate, b. in Amherst, Aug. 27, 1835 ; m.
(i) in Berlin, Nov. 2i, 1852, William L. Eager of North-
borough, son of Nahum and Sally Eager. Children :
I. Walter Ward Eager, b. in Fitchburg, March 6, 1855.
II. Harry Lewins Eager, b. in Fitchburg, Aug. 14, 1857.
III. Fannie Louise Eager, b. in Fitchburg, Aug. 6, 1862.
330 PARKER GENEALOGY.
IV. Herbert Lawrence Eager, b. in Fitchburg, Dec. 9, 1864.
V. Arthur William Eager, b. in Fitchburg, Dec. 39, 1871.
Mrs. Harriet Parker (Fosgate) Eager m. (2) in Westborough,
July 2, 187S, Curtis Harrington, b. in Westborough, Jan. 6,
1835, ^^^ ^^ Samuel A. and Catharine Harrington. They
reside in Westborough, where he is a farmer. Child :
VI. Robert Curtis Harrington, b. June 14, 1881.
2. Martha Augusta Fosgate, b. in Keene, N. H., April 17,
1837 ' ^' Robert H. Reed. She d. Sept. 19, 1883. He re-
sides in Boston. Children :
I. Charles Reed. ii. Frank Reed.
3. Louise Gilbert Fosgate, b. in Northborough, Jan. 12, 1845 ;
m. (i) Putnam ; m. (2) Charles A. Harrington of West-
borough (brother of Curtis Harrington) . Shed. 1889. Their
children were :
I. Walter Harrington. ii. Hattie Harrington.
210. Perley Parker ( Gardiner, ^ Isaac, ^ Amos,^ Andrew,'^
Jokn,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas'^), son of Gardiner and Asenath
(Sherman) Parker, was b. in Grafton ; m. Betsey Mellen of
Westborough, and settled in Hopkinton.
Their children were :
368. Emily Parker, b. Sept. 11, 1818; m. John Crooks of Hop-
kinton.
369. Gardner Parker, b. May 13, 1821 ; m. Mary L. Sawyer
of Gloucester.
370. J. Mellen Parker, b. March 30, 1829; m. Sarah Curtis of
Hopkinton.
Joshua Parker.
211. Daniel Parker (Otts,^ Isaac, ^ Amos, ^ Andrew,'^
'yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thojuas"^), son of Dea. Otis and Polly Ann
(Nourse) Parker, was b. in Westborough, March 23, 1799;
m. Jan. 13, 1829, Polly White, b. Aug. 16, 1804, d. Feb. 13,
1866, dau. of Abel and Sarah (Wood) White of Phillipston.
They later in life removed to Greenwich Village, but all the
children were b. in Hubbardston. He was a man of strong
body and mind. He was a miller ; a man of sterling integ-
rity, more of deeds than words, and a humble follower of
Jesus, his Saviour, whom he trusted to the last. He d. in
Greenwich, Aug. 13, 1885, at the age of 86.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 33I
Their children were :
Susan Parker, b. Feb. 18, 1S31 ; d. Sept. 5, 1863.
Mary Parker, b. Jan. 27, 1833 ; m. (i) March 5, 1863, Henry T.
Sears of Greenwich, who d. in Amboy, 111., Oct. 3, 1866; m. (2)
Aug. 12, 1868, Samuel B. Estey of Greenwich, who d. Oct. 31,
1888. She resides in Phillipston. The dau. of Henry T. and
Mary (Parker) Sears was :
1. Nellie May Sears, b. April 28, 1865.
Melissa Parker, b. Aug. 7, 1834; d. Dec. 9, 1855.
371. Sarah Parker, b. Oct. 15, 1835 ; m. Henry C. Work of
Hartford, Ct.
Daniel Webster Parker, b. Sept. 26, 1837 ' ^* J"^y 24^ 1840.
Isaac Parker, b. Sept. 12, 1839; d. July 29, 1840.
372. Daniel Webster Parker, b. June 13, 1841 ; m. Fannie E.
Morse.
Lucy Augusta Parker, b. Oct. 30, 1843 ; resides in Greenwich
Village.
Harriet Elizabeth Parker, b. May 9, 1845 ; resides in Green-
wich Village.
373. Abel Otis Parker, b. Dec. 20, 1847 '■> ^'"- Mrs. Fannie E.
M. Parker.
212. Mary Nourse Parker (Ot^s,^ Isaac, ^ Amos, 5
Andrew,^ 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Dea. Otis
and Polly Ann (Nourse) Parker, was b. in Westborough,
Aug. II, 1803; m. Dec. 29, 1825, Alvin Waite of Hubbards-
ton. She d. Oct. 16, 1833.
Their children were :
I and 2. Their two oldest children d. in infancy.
3. Augusta Waite, b. in Hubbardston ; d. in Worcester, at about
the age of i8.
4. Clarendon Waite, b. Dec. 16, 1830; a graduate of Brown
University in 1852, and of Andover Theological Seminary in
1856, studied six months in the University of Halle, Prussia ;
he was ordained and installed in Rutland, Feb. 25, 1858. Dur-
ing the winter of 1864-65 he did good service in the Freedmen's
Bureau, N. C. The winter of \Z66-6'i was spent in Cuba in
search of health. He had accepted a professorship in Beloit
College and was on his way thither when he was seized with an
attack from which he died Dec. 16, 1867. During his ministry
of eight years in Rutland 84 persons joined the Church there,
332 PARKER GENEALOGY.
and this statement is not even an indication of his success,
though in some measure a tribute to his faithfulness. In Salem
he won quickly the strong love of his people, which was shown
in their thoughtful and generous deeds towards him and his.
It were hard to tell whether by thoughtfully studied and care-
fully written sermons or by warm hearted pastoi'al work he
accomplished most for the Lord he loved. He m. June i6,
1858, Harriet G. Baker, dau. of James and Lydia (Goulding)
Baker of Phillipston. She resides in Worcester. Their chil-
dren were :
1. Anna Mary Waite, b. in Rutland, Aug. 18, 1862.
II. Florence Sherman Waite, b. in Rutland, Aug. 19, 1865 ;
m. June 5, 1890, George Arthur Smith of Worcester.
213. Otis Parker, Jr. (Otis,"* Isaac. f" Amos,^ Andrew,^
John,^ Hananiah^^ Thojnas^), son of Dea. Otis and Polly Ann
(Nourse) Parker, was b. in Hubbardston, Aug. 16, 1806 ; m.
Nov. 4, 1829, Eunice Allen, b. April, 1813, d. Oct. 13, 1855.
He d. Sept. i, 1876.
Their children were :
374. Lucy Parker, b. Nov. 25, [830; m. (i) James Baker of
Worcester; m. (2) Charles Lester of Wisconsin.
A son, b. and d. May 11, 1832.
375. AvALiNA Parker, b. June 21, 1833; m. Joseph Willard
Rice of Hubbardston.
376. Elmer Parker, b. Aug. 30, 1836; m. Sarah J. Hallock of
Connecticut.
Elizabeth L. Parker, b. July 23, 1842 ; m. Oct. 8, 1862, John
G. Allen of Pittsfield, Vt. "
MiNAR R. Parker, b. Oct. 4, and d. Oct. 13, 1848.
214. Nancy Patterson Parker (Jahez.i Isaac,^
Amos,^ Andrew,'^ 'John^^ Hanantah,^ Tkomas"^), dau. of Capt.
Jabez M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. May 2,
1799; m. June(?), 1830, James Wakefield of Marlborough,
N. H. (as his second wife), b. in Reading, 1782, son of
Thomas and EHzabeth (Hardy) Wakefield. He d. in Marl-
borough, May 21, 1864. He was a farmer. He lived first in
Roxbury, N. H., where by his first wife, Hannah Hemen-
way, he had several children, among whom was the distin-
guished Cyrus Wakefield, b. 181 1, benefactor and namer of
PARKER GENEALOGY. 333
the town of Wakefield, Mass., that part of old Reading from
which the Parker family sprung. James Wakefield lived later
in Marlborough, N. H. He was a justice of the peace, select-
man and representative. Mrs. Nancy (Parker) Wakefield d.
1848.
Her dau. was :
I. Julia Wakefield; m. in Marlborough, N. H., Oct. i, 1851,
Obed Gilman Dort, b. in Surry, N. H., Jan. 25, 1828, son of
Lois Bemis and Elizabeth Dort of Surry, N. H. She met her
death in the steamboat Wes^ Point collision and disaster on
the Potomac, Aug. 13, 1862, in which other New Hamp-
shire ladies together with 80 soldiers lost their lives. She was
returning from a visit to her husband, Major Dort, at New-
port News, Va., where he was in the service of the 6th N. H.
Reg. stationed there with Burnside's army. The son Arthur,
of six years, who was with her, was also drowned. The sor-
rowful event cast an added gloom over the people of this por-
tion of the State to their already many misfortunes of war.
Major O. G. Dort came to Keene in 1840 and learned the
carriage painter's trade, and in 1S52 commenced the druggist
business, following it practically until 1875, and from that date
has been engaged in the banking business. In 1861 he raised
company E of volunteers and joined the 6th Reg. N. H. Vols,
as Captain, afterwards promoted to Major ; served with the
Burnside expedition in N. Carolina, Virginia and Maryland.
After the loss of his wife and oldest child he resigned and
returned home to care for the remaining child and his druggist
business. He is president of the Citizens' National Bank of
Keene, N. H. Their children, all b. in Keene, were :
I. Arthur Wakefield Dort, b. Feb. 25, 1856; d. Aug.
13, 1862.
II. Frank Oilman Dort, b. Dec. 17, 1857; '^* J^"- ^^1
1885, Kate Bardvvell Cobb of Putney, Vt. They reside
in Keene. Their son :
I. Robert Gilman Dort, b. Aug. 10, 1893.
III. Mary Ellen Dort, b. Feb. 13, 1861 ; d. Nov. 27, 1861.
215. Jabez M. Parker, Jr. (Jabez,^ Isaac,^ Amos,^
Andrew,^ 'John^^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), son of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. Nov. 12, 1800; m.
Azubah P. Powers, b. 181 1, dau. of Oliver Powers of Phillips-
334 PARKER GENEALOGY.
ton. They resided in various places, but mostly on his father's
place, to which he succeeded and owned when he died, in the
north part of the town. They both d. in 1865. The place is
now owned by Mr. Lovewell. He was a farmer and stone-
cutter.
Their children were :
Isaac Myron Parker, b. in Phillipston, Nov. 17, 1S29 ; d. Dec.
26, 1847.
377. Addison Leslie Parker, b. in Phillipston, June 28, 1831 ;
m. Dec. 15, 1854, Mary Melvina Buxton.
378. Isabella Brown Parker, b. in Roxbury, N. H., Feb. 17,
1834; m. 1855, Asa B. Turner.
James Henry Parker, b. in Phillipston, Feb. 12, 1841 ; d. April
15, 1859.
216. Enoch Adams Parker (Jahez,'' Isaac,^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Tho)nas^), son of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. in Phillipston, Jan.
14, 1802 ; removed to Sullivan, N. H., where he taught school,
and was m. to Rebecca M. Gibbs, b. in Sullivan, March 27,
1803, dau. of Dalphon and Asenath (Fay) Gibbs. The
parents were natives of Sturbridge, Mass., where the father
was b. Aug. 12, 1777 ; m. about 1800 and removed to New
Hampshire, finally settling in Marlow, N. H., where he d.
1859, aged 82. Dolphon, one of the nine children, resides in
Worcester, Mass. He traces the genealogy of the Gibbs
family back to Matthew Gibbs, who emigrated from Fenton
or Venton, Darlington Parish, England, and settled in Charles-
town, Mass. He was a planter. He later removed to Sud-
bury, being one of the original proprietors of the town. The
genealogical descent became Matthew,' John, ^ Thomas, 3 John+
of Sudbury, Jonathans of Sturbridge, Dalphon^ of Marlow, N.
H., and Dalphon? of Worcester, Mass. Enoch Parker had a
farm of 100 acres in Roxbury, N. H., was selectman, and d.
July, 1839. She d. Feb. 26, 1854.
Their children were :
379. Pherona E. Parker, b. July 7, 1834; m. John S. Leach
of Rockingham, Vt.
Phedras E. Parker, b. Feb. 20, 1837 ; drowned May 23, 1852.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 335
380. Perry Ander Parker, b. Nov. 30, 1838; m. Mary Russel
ofGilsum, N. H.
217. Joel Dodge Parker (Jabez,^ Isaac,^ AmosJ
Andrew, "^ yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Tko?nas^), son of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. in Phillipston,
Aug. 17, 1804. His boyhood was passed upon his father's
farm in the north part of the town. He was a skilful mechanic
and builder, so following his inclinations he built a shop for
manufacturing purposes, locating where is now "Golden Vil-
lage," a short distance south of the centre of the town, thus put-
ting to use the valuable water power of this section. He made
improvements and additions and later built the brick factory
which has assisted in the growth of this village. He took up
the old Major Parker homestead (then in possession of Nathan-
iel Powers), one of the oldest settled localities of the town.
Here his son J. Damon Parker resides.
Their children were :
381. Joel Damon Parker, b. May 7, 1836; m. Dec. 36, 1S64,
Catharine M. Whitney.
Jason Goulding Parker, b. March 27, 1S40 ; cL.Oct. 26, 1864,
while in the service of the Union army.*
Hannah Maria Parker, b, June 24, 1843 ; d. Oct. 22, 1864.
218. Emily Sophia Parker (Jabez,^ Isaac, ^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. in Phillipston,
April 13, 1806; m. March 3, 1834, Isaiah White, son of
William and Esther (Maynard) White, b. in Marlborough,
N. H., July 13, 1809. He was a direct descendant of Pere-
grine White of Pilgrim fame. He d. Sept. 25, 1837. She d.
May 28, 1867. He was a painter.
* He enlisted at St. Louis, Mo., in Dec, 1861, joining Co. C, ist Mo. State
Militia. He was with his regiment a short time doing Provost Guard duty in
St. Louis, then was detailed as Orderly for Gen. Schofield. By order of
the Brig.-Gen. he was detailed June 11, 1862, as clerk in the Asst. Adjt.-
General's Office, Head Qj-s. Dist. of Mo. He remained there (being re-
detailed when Maj.-Gen. Curtis took command, when they became the Head
Qrs. of the Department of the Missouri), until his death, which occurred Oct.
26, 1864. His detail was the oldest one in St. Louis at that time. After his
regiment took the field he applied several times for leave to join his regiment,
but was held at Head Qj-s, during all his service, much to his disapproval.
336 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
1. RoDOLPHus Harvey White, b. Feb. 15, and d. April 4, 1835.
2. Emily Elmira White, b. July 9, 1836; m. April 7, 1857,
George Hills Smith, b. in Alstead, N. H., Aug. 7, 1835, son
of Ralph E. and Bia (Hale) Smith. He is a machinist and
they reside in Harrisville, N. H. Children :
I. Willie Hale Smith, b. Feb. 13, and d. Feb. 25, 1858.
II. Anna Louise Smith, b. March 12, 1859; m. Jan. 5,
1881, William D. Morrison of Marlow, N. H. Child:
I. Helen Morrison, b. Nov. 23, 1887.
III. Ethel Bia Smith, b. Sept. 24, 1865 ; m. Feb. 3, 1883,
Herbert A. Davis of Keene, N. H. Children :
1. Bertram Stuart Davis, b. Sept. 3, 1883.
2. Alice Harriet Davis, b. Aug. 2, 1888.
IV. Sarah Belle Smith, b. Sept. 32, 1867 ; m. Dec. 25,
1886, Alvin W. Davis of Keene, N. H. She d. Nov.
7, 1888.
V. Harriett Buss Smith, b. Jan. 27, 1870; m. March 9,
1889, George M. Towns of Keene, N. H. Their son :
I. Charles Henry Towns, b. Jan. 9, 1893.
VI. Bertha Inez Smith, b. Feb. 3, 1873.
VII. Leon Henry Smith, b. July 16, 1875.
VIII. Margaret Lillian Smith, b. Dec. 31, 1877.
219. Beulah H. C. Parker (Jabcz,^ Isaac, ^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ 'John,T> Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. in Phillipston,
April 21, 1809; m. Nov. 25, 1836, Walter Gunn Clapp of
Holden, b. Dec. 27, 1812, now living (1889) at Cambridge-
port, a descendant of Thomas Clapp, who came from England
in 1633. (See Clapp Family in America, published by David
Clapp & Son, Boston, Mass.). She d. Jan. 9, 1864.
Their children were :
1. Alphonso LaRoy Clapp, b. in Phillipston, Oct. 26, 1837; m.
Dec. 22, 1862, Harriet Augusta Rose. He d. May 30, 1874.
Two children :
I. Charles Irving Clapp, b. in Troy, N. Y., Dec. 13,
1866; d. Oct. 28, 1S67.
II. Fred. Whitney Clapp, b. in Worcester, July 25, 1869.
2. Addie I. Clapp, b. in Worcester, Oct. 28, 1839; m. 1872,
Hiram Parker. One child :
PARKER GENEALOGY. 337
I. Warren Belding Parker, b. in Rochester, Aug. 3, 1873.
3. Elam Smalley Ph^don Clapp, b. in Worcester, Jan. 5,
1842. Entered the Sophomore class of Troy University when
17 years of age; graduated second in his class in July, 1862;
enlisted same day he graduated in Co. H, 125th New York
Infantry, as a private ; promoted to Corporal before leaving
the city, afterwards promoted to Lieutenant for bravery at the
battle of Gettysburg ; was wounded at Chancellorsville at the
battle of the Wilderness, May 12, 1864; died from the effects
of his wounds, June 5, 1864. He was a very intelligent young
man, finely educated and was a gentleman. In all of the
engagements in which his regiment participated he distin-
guished himself for bravery.
4. Lillian Edna Clapp, b. in Phillipston, July 18, 1844; m. Jan.
I, 1869, Sylvester Nelson Gardner of Troy (a descendant o£
the martyr John Rodgers). Their children were :
I. Warren Sylvester Gardner, b. Sept. 22, 1869.
II. Elam LaRoy Gardner, b. May 11, 1872.
III. Beulah Edna Gardner, b. Feb. 16, 1875 ; d. Dec. 13,
1882.
IV. Howard Nelson Gardner, b. May 23, 1877 ; d. Dec.
12, 1882.
V. Ernest Howard Gardner, b. Feb. 12, 1885 ; d. July
16, 1886.
221. James M. L. Parker (fadez,"^ Isaac,^ Amos,s
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiak,^ Thomas^), son of Capt. Jabez
M. and Nancy (Patterson) Parker, was b. in Phillipston,
Sept. 3, 1812; m. in Roxbury, N. H., April i, 1835, Polly
Kidder, b. in Roxbury, N. H., Aug. 19, 1816, dau. of Aaron
and Persis B. Kidder. She d. in Forestville, Wis., Jan. 7,
1868. He was a carpenter and joiner by trade, also machinist.
He resided in Phillipston, Mass. ; Roxbury, Peterborough,
Hillsborough and Marlborough, N. H. ; and Racine, Ahnapee
and Forestville, Wis. He held the offices of superintendent
of schools, town clerk, supervisor and justice of the peace.
He d. in Forestville, Door County, Wis., Sept. 25, 1877.
Their children were :
James Ansel Parker, b. in Roxbury, N. H., June 25, 1836. He
was one of the crew of the whaling schooner Virginia^ which was
lost at sea in Aug., 1854, with all on board. He was unm.
22
338 PARKER GENEALOGY.
382. Amine Cecelia Parker, b. in Hillsborough, N. H., July
12, 1839; m. George Fowles of Ahnapee, Wis.
Nancy Patterson Parker, b. in Phillipston, Dec. 26, 1842 ; d.
June 4, 1857, in Ahnapee, Wis.
Rosell Reone Parker, b. in Phillipston, June 28, 1845 ; d. July
4, 1857, "^ Ahnapee, Wis.
383. Maynard Tillotson Parker, b, in Roxbury, N. H., Oct.
30, 1850; m. Mary Overbeck of Ahnapee, Wis.
222. Harriet Ann Parker ( David, ^ Isaac, ^ Amos, 5
Andrew,'' 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of David and
Betsey (Eager) Parker, was b. in Barre, May 29, 1819 ; m.
Nov. 16, 1841, John Walker, native of Holden, b. March 3,
1815, son of John and Eunice (Metcalf) Walker of Holden.
She d. March 16, 1878. He resides in Barre, where he is a
farmer.
Their children were :
1. John Alfred Walker, b. Oct. 31, 1842; m. Jan. 19, 1867,
Bessie Whitcomb of Boxborough. They reside in Boxborough.
Their children were :
1. Martha Jane Walker ; m. Burpee Steele and reside in
Leominster. They have children :
I. Clifton Steele. 2. Russell Steele,
n. Marion Walker. She resides in Leominster,
in. Bertha Walker ; m. John Perzanzon. They reside in
Boxborough.
IV. Bessie Isora Walker.
V, Henry W. Walker.
vj. David Parker Walker.
2. Harriet Elizabeth Walker, b. Nov. 21, 1843 '•> '^- Nov. 11,
1865, Harlow Foskett of Westminster. He d. June, 1870.
She resides in W. Rutland. Their children were :
I. Wallace H. Foskett, b. Sept. 25, 1866; m. Nov. 18,
1889, Etta Himes, b. Jan. 11, 1870, dau. of Edwin and
Mary (Leonard) Himes of Hubbardston. They reside
in Worcester and have :
1. Harold Eugene Foskett, b. Jan. 20, 1891.
2. Delia May Foskett, b. June 30, 1892.
II. Fred E. Foskett, b. 1S68 ; d. in Florida, aged 19, 1877.
3. Lucy Maria Walker (twin of Harriet Elizabeth Walker), b.
Nov. 21, 1S43 ; m. May 7, 1865, Charles Dennison Robinson
PARKER GENEALOGY.
339
" Twins.
of Barre, b. Nov. 25, 1836, son of Marshall P. and Mary
Elizabeth (Perry) Robinson of Barre. They reside in Worces-
ter. Their children were :
I. Arthur C. Robinson, b. March 28, 1866; m. Dec. 17,
1890, Elmina M. Cole of Worcester, b. March 24, 1866.
They reside in Cambridgeport.
II. Albert D. Robinson, b. April 27, 1867 ; m. March 26,
1892, Louise E. Hamberger of Willimantic, Ct. They
reside in Worcester.
III. Mary L. Robinson, b. Sept. 7, 1870; d. Oct. 27, 1870.
IV. George P. Robinson, b. Oct. 27, 1871.
V. Hattie L. Robinson, b. Dec. 5, 1875.
4. George Chamberlain Walker, b. Sept. 4, and d. Oct. 20, 1845.
5. Andrew McFarland Walker, b. Aug. 14, 1846; resides in
W. Rutland, unm.
6. George Frederick Walker, b. June 30, and d.
Aug. 20, 1852.
7. Georgietta Florence Walker, b. June 30, and
d. Sept. 20, 1852.
8. David Parker Walker, b. July 4, 1855 ; d. Jan. 5, 1876.
9. Martha Davis Walker, b. March 11, 1861 ; m. March, 1882,
Lewis Freeman, and reside in Spencer. No children.
223. Persis Eager Parker (David^'i Isaac, ^ Amos, 5
Andrew,'^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of David and
Betsey (Eager) Parker, was b. in Barre, May 8, 1821 ; m.
June 13, 1843, Samuel N. Howe of Holden.
They had one child :
I . Cecilia Howe, who d. at the age of i year, 8 months.
224. Lucy Parker (Davtd,^ Isaac,^ Amos, 5 Andrezv,'^
'John,T> Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of David and Betsey
(Eager) Parker, was b. in Barre, Sept. 2, 1823 ; m. April 3,
1849, Lysander Crawford of Oakham, b. Feb. 2, 1824. They
lived in Barre, where he was a farmer and where he d. April
16, 1884. She resides in Barre.
Their children were :
1. Samuel P. Crawford, b. March 13, 1850; d. Dec. 14, 1852.
2. Clare E. Crawford, b. June 17, 1853 ; d. April 4, 1854.
3. Emma A. Crawford, b. July 15, i860 ; resides in Barre.
340
PARKER GENEALOGY.
225. Caleb Alexander Parker ( Lewis, i Isaac, ^
Amosy' Andrezv,'- 'John,T> Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Major
Lewis and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling,
Dec. 24, 1806.
While still a young man he went to New Orleans, La., in
the early thirties. After a few years' residence in that city he
removed to Jackson, Miss., where for some years he success-
fully prosecuted his business of builder and contractor, erect-
ing the Mississippi State Capitol, the State Insane Asylum,
Hinds County Court House and other public buildings. He
also built a part of the New Orleans, Jackson and Great
Northern Railroad, now the Illinois Central. He went to
New Orleans again in 1859 ^*^ live, and many of the finest
edifices in that city were erected by him, among them the St.
Louis Hotel.
He d. in New Orleans, Nov. 29, 1891, aged 85 years. He
was a resident of Mississippi and Louisiana for more than 50
years. The funeral took place from the residence of his son.
Colonel C. Harrison Parker.
"The cause of his death was old age, a wearing out of the body
which had spent a long and busy life. He had been failing for
weeks, but with the indomitable energy which ever characterized the
man he would not yield even to the grim destroyer himself and lived
for days after he was thought to be in the throes of actual dissolution.
Once before he displayed the same characteristic. More than 50
years ago, while foreman of one of the volunteer fire companies,
exposure at a fire brought on an attack of pneumonia, from which
his physician said he could not recover ; but the iron constitution had
not then been sapped by age and the will of the man conquered death
itself and he recovered.
" He was much respected by those who knew him for his courage,
his openness of character, his attachment to his friends and his many
other Stirling qualities. He leaves children and grandchildren who
are scattered throughout the Union. He was an old and valued
member of the Masonic fraternity, which paid to his memory the last
sad tribute of respect by i^eturning his body to the earth beneath the
shadow of the acacia."
He had a family of several children, who are in active life
throughout the South and West.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
341
226. Abigail Sawyer Parker ( Lewis, ^ Isaac, ^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Major Lewis
and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling, Oct. 15,
1809; m. Jan. 24, 1830, Joshua Buxton of Lowell, b. Dec. 28,
1799, ^^ youngest son of Ebenezer and Susanna Buxton of
N. Reading. They settled in Woburn, where he was a cabi-
netmaker. They finally removed to Stetson, Me., where he
was a farmer until his decease, which occurred Feb. 13, 1877.
Mrs. Abigail S. Buxton still survives him, residing in Stetson,
Me.
Their children were :
1. Susan Jane Buxton, b. in Sterling, Dec. 4, 1830; is a dress-
maker and resides in Woburn.
2. George Parker Buxton, b. in Woburn, Oct. 15, 1832 ; d.
June 12, 1862.
3. Joshua Thomas Buxton, b. in Woburn, Oct. 25, 1834; m. in
Hampden, Me., Dec. 23, 1865, Mariah Emery, b. Feb. 23,
1838, dau. of John and Sarah (Fernald) Emery. He is a
farmer and they reside in Woburn. Their children were :
I. George Buxton, b. April 8, i866; d. Jan. 25, \
1875. [-Twins.
II. Frank Buxton, b. April 8, 1866. )
III. Harry Buxton, b. Dec. 15, 1868 ; d. Jan. 31, 1875.
IV. William Buxton, b. April 2, 1870.
V. Lewis Buxton, b. June 17, 1873 ; d. Feb. 5, 1875.
VI. Edward Buxton, b. Jan. 23, 1876.
4. Ann Elizabeth Buxton, b. in Woburn, Sept. 18, 1837 ; m.
Charles Starkey of Stetson, Me. He is a merchant. They
reside in Natural Bridge, N. Y. Their children were :
I. Edgar Foe Starkey. He is connected with railroad
work.
II. Charles Starkey. He is a storekeeper with his father.
III. Mary Starkey.
Evelina Maynard Parker (see page 185) ( Lewis, ^
Isaac,^ Amos,^ Andrew,^ yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau.
of Major Lewis and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in
Sterling, Nov. 23, 181 1. She was a very promising and
beautiful young lady ; was a dressmaker. In May, 1833, she
wet her feet in going to a neighbor's house and, it being a
342 PARKER GENEALOGY.
warm day, she remained in a room where there was no fire
until her feet were dry. From effects of this she died in a
fortnight, June 8, 1833. Hers was the first death of a young
lady which had occurred in the town for a long time. Her
handsome face was enclosed with black hair and curls, and
she was already engaged to Reuben Sawyer, who always felt
downcast after her death. Her loss was widely felt through-
out the township and a very large gathering attended her
funeral.
227. Elizabeth Margaret Parker ( Lewis, ^ Isaac,^
Amos, ^ Andrew,^ yokn,^ Hananiak,^ Thomas^), dau. of Major
Lewis and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling,
Sept. 24, 1813 ; m. April 21, 1836, Gilbert Hamilton Howe of
Sterling, b. March 6, 1810. They lived in the centre for
several years; removed then to Minneapolis, Minn., where
she d. Jan. 18, 1882, and where he still resides with his son,
William Parker Howe.
All of the children were b. in Sterling :
1. Mary Augusta Howe, b. Jan. 8, 1838; m. Nov. 4, 1S60, in
Sterling, James Henry Little, b. in Shirley, Mass., June 39,
1838. She d. July 4, 1877 ; he d. Sept. 18, 1879. Children :
I. Jane Elizabeth Little, b. Nov. 13, 1861 ; d. Sept. 8,
1884.
II. Carina Hammond Little, b. Feb. 16, 1866 ; m. Jan. 18,
1887, in Minneapolis, Minn., William Shutte Marshall.
They reside in Omaha, Neb.
III. Arthur Wilson Little, b. Aug. 8, 1867 ; resides in
Superior, Wis.
IV. Ora Howe Little, b. June 35, 1869; m. Nov. 5, 1887,
Seymour A. Miller, who d. May 7, 1888. She resides
in Minneapolis, Minn,
v. Mary Helen Little, b. June 34, 1875.
3. Henry Gilbert Howe, b. April 33, 1839; '^- (0 ^^7 2,
1865, Josephine L. Bartlett, dau. of Perley Bartlett. She d.
Jan. 16, 1866, in Minneapolis, Minn., and he m. (3) Dec. 3,
1868, in Putnam, Ct., Louise Ann Willett, b. in Hartford,
Ct., Feb. 33, 1839. He is now (1890) in Tombstone, Ariz.,
an engineering and mining expert, U. S. Deputy Mineral
Surveyor and mine owner. Their children were :
PARKER GENEALOGY. 343
I. Gertrude Dean Howe, b. in Minneapolis, Oct. 15,
1869; m. Sept. 26, 1889, in Tombstone, Ariz., Edward
Warren Perkins.
II. Charles Willett Howe, b. in Chicago, 111., Nov. 29,
1872 ; d. July 8, 1873.
in. Alvan Willett Howe, b. in Chicago, Nov. 25, 1873.
IV. Louise Rogers Howe, b, in Chicago, Sept. 3, 1876.
3. Charles Lewis Howe, b. Nov. 13, 1841 ; d. May i, 1861.
4. William Parker Howe, b. Sept. 7, 1846. He is editor and
proprietor of the important commercial periodical. The Trade
Reporter. He resides in Minneapolis, Minn.
5. Peter Osgood Howe, b. Oct. 8, 1848; d. Jan. 22, 1861.
6. Silas Walter Howe, b. Aug. 15, 1850; d. Jan. 29, 1861.
7. Herbert Kendall Howe, b. Feb. 18, 1853 ; d. April 23, 1861.
8. Thomas Prentice Allen Howe, b. Jan. 23, 1855 ; resides in
Minneapolis, Minn. He is Assistant Consulting Engineer of
the Great Northern Railway Co., St. Paul, Minn.
9. Annie Elizabeth Howe, b. Aug. 13, 1857; d. Aug. 22, 1858.
228. Sarah Angeline Parker ( Lewis, 1 1saac, ^ Amos,^
Andrew,'^ John,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Major Lewis
and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling, Aug. 13,
1815 ; m. in Sterling, Nov. 10, 1836, John Phelps of W.
Boylston, b. June 23, 1810, son of Abijah and Maria Phelps
of W. Boylston. They settled on Maiden Hill in W. Boyls-
ton, where he carried on a farm of 120 acres in a very suc-
cessful manner. He was a thorough temperance man from
boyhood, and a member of the Congregational Church of the
town from the age of 19 until his decease, which occurred
May 30, 1859, fi'oni consumption. His widow, Mrs. Sarah
Phelps, conducted the place for ten years following, devoting
herself to the good of her family and the farm. She has long
been a constant member of the Church in W. Boylston, in
which place she still resides.
Their children were :
1. Angelina Parker Phelps, b. Oct. 29, 1837; ^- March 20,
1857.
2. Henry Lewis Phelps, b. Nov. 13, 1839; m. May 6, 1869,
Mary Ella Brown of W. Boylston, b. in Oakdale, June 19,
1852, dau. of Dexter (of Sterling) and Rhoda Russell (Law-
rence) Brown of Weld, Me. He conducts the Phelps farm on
Maiden Hill, W. Boylston, where they reside. Children :
344
PARKER GENEALOGY.
I. Henry Edward Phelps, b. May 24, 1870.
II. Mary Augusta Phelps, b. Jan. 12, 1872; d. Dec. 30,
1874.
III. Minnie Addie Phelps, b. July 21 , 1876 ; d. Oct. 28, 1883.
IV. Charles Walter Phelps, b. Dec. 9, 1879 ; d. Nov. 5,
1883.
V. Ella May Phelps, b. April 10, 1883 ! d* Sept. 18, 1883.
VI. Annie Maude Phelps, b. Dec. 15, 1888 ; d. April 2, 1890.
3. Emily Caroline Phelps, b. Aug. 2, 1842 ; m. in W. Boylston,
Nov., 1866, William Franklin Davis, b. in Ashby, June 30,
1846, son of Jonathan P. and Emily M. (Mansfield) Davis.
They reside in Worcester, where he is a watchman. Children :
I. Nellie Loretta Davis, b. in Leominster, Oct. 19, 1867.
II. Nettie Angeline Davis, b. in Leominster, July 23, 1869.
III. Ruby Lura Davis, b. July 2, 1884.
4. Ellen Louise Phelps, b. April 4, 1846 ; d. Nov. 13, 1863.
5. Sarah Elizabeth Phelps, b. Sept. 14, 1849; m. in W. Boyls-
ton, May 27, 1868, Josiah Samuel Davis, b. in Ashby, Jan. 8,
1844, brother of William Franklin Davis. He lived in Fitch-
burg, where he conducted a bakery and restaurant. He d.
July 27, 1886. She resides in Fitchburg. Children :
I. Sarah Annie Davis, b. June 5, 1869 ; m. Fred A. Lewis
of Worcester, where they reside.
II. Frank Henry Davis, b. May 3, 1883.
III. Raymond Walter Davis, b. March 4, 1885.
6. John William Phelps, b. Jan. 23, 1852 ; m. May 16, 1878,
Addie M. Colby Adams, b. in Nashua, N. H., Jan. 27, 1858,
dau. of John C^. and Amanda (Farmer) Adams of Nashua.
Her parents, who were b. Nov. 22, 1830, and Jan. 8, 1837,
respectively, d. before she was five years and she grew up in
her aunt Colby's family, which caused a change in the name.
They reside in Fitchburg. Their children were :
I. Mira Addie Phelps, b. March 14, 1879.
II. Minnie Alice Phelps, b. Nov. 11, 1885.
230. HoUis Gardner Parker (Lewis,'' Isaac, ^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Major Lewis
and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling, Sept. 30,
1818 ; m. in Hartford, Ct., May 4, 1847, Laura A. Goodrich,
dau. of Jared and Abigail Goodrich. He is a merchant in
Manchester, Ct. She d. March 4, 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 345
Their children were :
George Hollis Parker, b. in Hartford, Ct., Feb. 21, 1851 ; d. 1855.
Laura Ann Parker, b. in Philadelpliia, Pa., March 16, 1856; d.
Sept. 5. 1857.
Ella Goodrich Parker, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., Jan. 28, 1859.
384. Charles Duffield Parker, b. in Philadelphia, Pa., June
19, 1861 ; m. Julia Skipper.
William Lewis Parker, b. in Buckland, Ct., Jan. 18, 1868.
Grace Adams Parker, b. in Buckland, Ct., July 10, 1873.
Mary Anne Capen Parker (see page i86) (Lewis,'}
Isaac,^ Amos,^ Andrew,^ John,^ Hajianiah,'- Thomas^), dau.
of Major Lewis and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in
Sterling, March 31, 1820. She went to Uve with Dr. Willard
Parker of Woodstock, Vt., when quite young, removing with
the Doctor's family to Pittsfield, Mass., where she lived several
years, then to Cincinnati, O., where she d. March 5, 1834.
This was the well known Dr. Willard Parker who later settled
in New York city. He was descended from the emigrant
ancestor, Abraham Parker of Chelmsford.
Lucy Adams Parker (see page 186) (Lewis,'' Lsaac,^
Amos,^ Andreza,'^ 'John,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), dau. of Major
Lewis and Elizabeth (Seaver) Parker, was b. in Sterling,
March 4, 1825 ; m. in Hartford, Ct., Mr. Gourly of Worces-
ter. They removed to Pittsfield, Mass., where she later died.
She d. in Troy, N. Y. Her middle name arose from the coinci-
dence of her date of birth with the inauguration of President
John Quincy Adams. She had two children, who both died
young and are buried in Worcester.
231. Elisha H. Parker (Eliska,'' Elisha,^ Afnos,^
Andrew,'' 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Elisha and
Eunice (Dean) Parker, was b. in Barnard, Vt., May 10,
1818 ; m. Sept. 27, 1847, Alvira P. Ferrin, b. in Morristown,
Vt., June 24, 1826. They resided in Morristown until 1879,
when he removed to Middlefield, Ct., where he resides.
Their children were :
Julia A. Parker, b. Sept. 8, 1848 ; deceased.
John F. Parker, b. Sept. 20, 1850 ; resides in Middlefield, Ct.
Lizzie A. Parker, b. July 22, 1854; resides in Middlefield.
346 PARKER GENEALOGY.
232. Minerva E. Parker (Eltsha,^ Elisha,^ Amos,^
Andrezu,'t yohn,^ Hananiah^^ Thomas^), dau. of Elisha and
Eunice (Dean) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., May 13,
1827 ; m. March 3, 1850, Josiah Converse, b. in Brookfield,
Oct. 15, 1797, and came with his father to Bakersfield, in
1804. She resides in Bakersfield.
Their children were :
1. Charles Converse, b. July 6, 185 1.
2. Elisha H. Converse, b. July 8, 1853 ; d. June 8, 1854.
3. Maria E. Converse, b. Sept. i, 1856; d. Aug. 7, 1889, leav-
ing two sons.
4. Cheney A. Converse, b. March 30, 1858.
5. Burton H. Converse, b. June 19, i860; d. Feb. 19, 1864.
233. Robert D. Parker (Elisha,'^ Elisha,^' Amos,^
Andrew^^ yohn,^ ffanantah,^ Thomas^), son of Elisha and
Eunice (Dean) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., May 6,
1834. H^ removed to Worcester, Mass., and m. Sarah Hawes
of Auburn. They lived in Worcester. Robert D. Parker was
a strong, hearty man, a characteristic of his Parker relatives.
His brother Elisha was also gifted with a remarkable physique
in his younger days. The former was known to carry upon
his back and up three flights of stairs a sugar barrel filled with
coal. Robert D. Parker died from an accident at Lincoln
Square in Worcester. He jumped from the team which he was
driving and seizing a runaway horse b^'^ the bridle he succeeded
in stopping him, but while thus engaged was dashed against a
passing train and killed. His widow resides in Worcester.
Their children were :
Elizabeth Parker ; m. Frank M. Muzzy, and resides in Chicopee.
Ralph H. Parker, b. Jan. 36, 1866. He is a letter-carrier in
Worcester.
Clare Parker.
Lee Raymond Parker. He is a farmer in Barre.
Birney Parker.
234. Charles Rollin Parker (Elijah,^ Elisha,^ Amos,'=
Andrew,'^ 'yohn,^ Uatianiak,^ Thomas^), son of Elijah and
Rhody (Butler) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Jan. 5,
1814; m. (i) July 4, 1834, Porti'^i Adelia Harmon, b. Jan.
PARKER GENEALOGY.
347
21, 1815. He shared to a considerable extent in the arduous
and manifold privations, often severe, of those who changed
the dense forests of our country into an orchard, blossoming
like the garden of the Lord. In this school he learned those
habits of industry, economy and prudence which enabled him to
overcome the great difficulties which stood in the way of his
life's success. After his marriage he engaged in the lumber
business in Niagara County, N. Y. His company ultimately
failed and Charles R. Parker lost all his property. Penniless
and burdened with a family he commenced the study of law.
For a time he was clerk in the office of Ransom & Holmes.
After his admission to the bar he became a successful prac-
titioner of his profession and practiced in what is now the
city of Lockport, N. Y., for nearly 50 years, without a stain
upon his moral or professional character. By his industry, his
close attention to business and his economy he accumulated
not only a competence but a very considerable estate. He
was prompt in the discharge of his duties, a safe counsellor
and a trustworthy employee. Whatever he undertook was
carefully attended to and well done. He was not gifted with
eloquence, on the contrary he had an impediment in his speech
which forbid his entering into that portion of legal practice in
which lawyers are most conspicuous to the public, the trial of
litigated causes. He was content to shun the paths in which
he could not shine. He had a discriminating legal mind,
good common sense and sound judgment, and above all he
was an honest man, "The noblest work of God."
Mrs. Portia A. H. Parker d. Dec. 21, 1842, and he m. (2)
Feb. 14, 1843, her sister, Marcia Ann Harmon, b. Nov. 22,
1824, d. Oct. 10, 1845. He m. (3) Mrs. Betsey Maria
(Paige) Peckham, his cousin, of Bakersfield, Vt. She d.
May 7, 1853, and he m. (4) Nov. 10, 1853, Harriet Newhall,
b. in Conway, Mass., Dec, 1818, dau. of Daniel Newhall.
He d. May 6, 1887.
His children were :
385. Charles Fessenden Parker, b. June 6, 1836; m. (i)
Mary Dickerman of New Haven, Ct. ; (3) Kate Isadore Shipman
of Girard, Pa. ; (3) Mary F. Ball of CoJumbus, O.
Clinton Ranson Parker, b. Oct. 15, 1839; ^^- May 8, 1843.
348 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Albert Butler Parker, b. Feb. 18, 1842 ; m. Mary Kellogg of
Leslie, Mich. Their only child was :
I. Charles Rollin Parker ; d. in South Haven, Mich., March
12, 1888, aged 8 years and 6 months.
Adelia Parker (twin of Albert), b. Feb. 18, 1842; d. 1843.
Ann Adelia Parker, b. May 8, 1845 ; d. Aug. 26, 1854.
Mary Jane Parker, b. Nov. 29, 1846 ; d. Aug. 25, 1866.
235. Cho Augusta Parker (Elijah,^ EHska,^ Amos,^
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), dau. of Elijah and
Rhody (Butler) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Aug. 10,
1815 ; m. Feb. 5, 1834, Silas Hall, b. Oct. 8, 1805, son of
Ralph and Mary Hall of Newburyport, Mass. He d. June
I, 1883.
Their children were :
1. Herman D. Hall, b. in Cambria, Dec, 1834. He is in busi-
ness in Gunnison, Col.
2. John N. Hall, b. in Pendleton, Dec, r836. He is in business
in Gunnison, Col.
3. Addison Parker Hall, b. in Pendleton, Oct., 1839; m. 1863,
Celia Warren of Tonawanda, N. Y. She d. 1880. Their
surviving children are :
I. Mary Jane Hall, b. July, 1866.
n. Addie Augusta Hall, b. Oct., 1872.
4. Caroline Augusta Hall, b. Dec, 1841 ; m. Nov. 25, 1863,
Rev. Edward Payson Marvin, a descendant of Reynold Marvin
of Lyme, Ct. They reside in Lockport, N. Y., and have four
children :
I. Cornelia Frances Marvin, b. 1864; m. Dec, 1885,
Albert McDonnell, and have a dau. :
I. Cho Augusta McDonnell, b. Feb. 2, 1888.
II. Edward Payson Marvin, Jr., b. 1868.
III. Walter Clark Marvin.
IV. William Roy Marvin.
5. Caroline A. Hall, b. Nov., 1845 ; d. May 28, 1864.
6. Charles W. Hall, b. Dec, 1848; m. May, 1876, Rachel
Cowles, and have had the following children :
I. Willis Harold Hall, b. May, 1877.
II. Charles Ralph Hall, b. 1879; d. 1883.
III. Lee Butler Hall, b. Dec, 1883.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 349
7. Henry C. Hall, b. May, 1852; m. Sept., 1876, Addie Den-
ning. Their children are :
I. Emerson D. Hall, b. Jan., 1878.
II. Raymond Hall, b. May, 1882.
8. Alice M. Hall, b. July, 1854; in. Nov., 1879, Dr. John W.
Gorman. Their children were :
I. John Wesly Gorman, Jr., b. and d. 1882.
II. Bruce Gorman, b. June, 1883.
III. Percy Gorman, b. Sept., 1884.
.IV. Alice Gorman, b. March, 1888.
236. Caroline Miranda Parker (Elijah,'' EHsha,^
A^nosy> Andrew,^ yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Elijah
and Rhody (Butler) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt.,
March 16, 1818 ; m. June 17, 1840, Stephen Decatur Scovell,
whose mother was Annah Saxe, descended from the House of
Saxe-Coburg, Germany. He was first cousin to John G.
Saxe, the poet. They settled in Vermontville, Mich., where
he d. Jan., 1850. She m. (2) June 18, 185 1, Argalus Sprague
of Vermontville, where they reside.
Her children were :
1. JosiAH T. Scovell, b. July 29, 1841 ; tn. Dec. 25, 1877, Joanna
Jameson of Lafayette, Ind. He was 20 years a professor in
the State Normal School at Terra Haute, Ind. He is a doctor
by profession and is now practicing in Terra Haute. Ghildren :
I. Gada M. Scovell, b. Jan. 4, 1879.
II. Ralph R. Scovell, b. June 24, 1884.
III. Robert Scovell, b. Aug. 11, 1887.
2. Augusta A. Scovell, b. July 18, 1843 ; d. Jan. iS, 1869.
William P. Scovell, b. June i, 1846; d. Feb. 16, 1848.
Alice L. Scovell, b. April 29, 184S ; d. Feb. 28, 1852.
Amanda G. Sprague, b. Oct. 26, 1853.
Ernest E. Sprague, b. Aug. 7, 1855 ; m. Ezra Potter of Ver-
montville, Mich. They have two sons :
I. George Glare Sprague, b. June 21, 1884.
II. Milton W. Sprague, b. Aug. 11, 1886.
Frederic P. Sprague, b. Nov. 7, 185S ; m. Garrie Sackett.
Their children are :
I. Augusta Scovell Sprague, b. Sept. 24, 1879.
II. Lelia Sprague, b. May 18, 18S1.
III. Rollin Argalus Sprague, b. Dec. 18, 1882.
350 PARKER GENEALOGY.
237. Isaac Butler Parker (Elijah;' Elisha,^ Amos,^
Andrew ^^ "John; Hananiah; Thomas^), son of Elijah and
Rhody (Butler) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Nov. 19,
1827; m. Oct., 185 1, Clarissa Gillett of Youngstown, N. Y.
He was a lawyer and had just settled at Marshalltown, la.,
when he d. Dec. 26, 1862.
Their children were :
Edward Gillett Parker, b. in Warsaw, 111., Dec. 11, 1S52 ; m.
(i) Oct. 18, 1S82, Tryphenia Pierson, b. i860. She d. Feb. 12,
18S5, and he m. (2) March 8, 1888, Elizabeth Kane of Canan-
daigua, N. Y., b. Sept. 3, 1854. He is continuing the law office
of his uncle, C. R. Parker, Esq.
Willis Frederick Parker, b. in Mitchell, la., April 2, 1859. He
is a lawyer in Helena, Col.
Clara Amanda Parker, b. in Mitchell, la., June 22, 1861. She
is a teacher in Oneida, N. Y.
238. Frederic Deforest Parker (Elijah; EHsha,^
Amos; Andrew; John; Hananiah; Thotnas^), son of Elijah
and Rhody (Butler) Parker, was b. in Lewiston, N. Y., Aug.
10, 1830; m. in Battle Creek, Mich., Dec, 1854, Helen
Nickols. He d. Nov., 1856.
Their son was :
Frederick B. Parker, b. Dec, 1855 ; m. Jan. 5, 1881, in Brook-
lyn, N. Y., Jennie Sarle. He d. in Maker, Col., Dec. 11, 18S8,
and she d. in Brooklyn, N. Y., Dec. 12, 1888. Their son was :
I. Howard Sarle Parker, b. Jan., 1882.
239. Rebecca Ann Parker (Jonas; Elisha; Amos;
Andrew; John; Hananiah; Thomas^)., dau. of Jonas and
Lima (Freeman) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., Sept.
29, 1825 ; m. Sept. i, 1848, Langdon A. Marshall, and lived
in E. Brookfield, Vt., until her death, which occurred April 5,
1888. He d. April 8, 1890.
Their children were :
I. Eugene Langdon Marshall, b. Aug. 6, 1850; m. Aug. 19,
1873, Alma Reed. He d. Aug. 2, 1880. Children:
I. Anna Emily Marshall, b. July 12, 1877.
II. Eugene Langdon Marshall, b. March ro. 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 35 I
2. Lima Matilda Marshall, b. Nov. 2, 1858 ; m. April 14,
1S79, Eugene V. Price, and have one dau. :
I. Lima Marcia Price, b. Sept. 7, 1883.
3. Minnie Sprague Marshall, b. Sept. 21, 1879.
240. Joshua Freeman Parker (Jonas,^ EHsha,^
Amo's,5 Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Jonas
and Lima (Freeman) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt.,
Sept. 23, 1827; m. April 7, 1853, Caroline D. Seabury.
They reside in Moretown, Vt.
Their child was :
George L. Parker, b. in Moretown, Vt., March 11, 1866.
241. John Cortland Parker ( Jonas, t Eliska,^ Amos, ^
Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of Jonas and
Lima (Freeman) Parker, was b. in Bakersfield, Vt., March
15, 1831 ; m. (i) May 3, 1857, Oliva M. Wheeler of Walling-
ford, Vt. She d. and he m. (2) July 8, 1863, Abigail P.
Wheeler of Wallingford.
His children were :
Franklin J. Parker, b. Nov. 30, 1858; m. (i) Oct. 29, 1870,
Mary Hathaway of East Montpelier, Vt. She d. and he m. (2)
March 17, 1875, Elia Bennett of Calais, Vt.
Carrie O. Parker, b. Oct. 7, 1864.
243. Frederick A. Parker (Austin,^ Nahum,^ Amos,s
Andrew,^ John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Austin and
Susan (Martin) Parker, was b. in Westmoreland, N. H.,
1822 ; m. Clara M. Hyland, b. in Westmoreland. He resides
in Gardner, where he is a mechanic.
Their children were :
Frank F. Parker. He resides in Gardner, unm.
Marion M. Parker.
Child, unnamed, b. and d.
244. George Washington Parker (Amos A., 7
Nahum,^ Amos,^ Andrew,'' John,T> Hananiah,^ Thomas'),
son of Col. Amos A. and Miranda (Sanders) Parker, was b.
in Concord, N. H., Aug. 14, 1824; m. Oct. 26, 1848, Julia A.
Deeth, b. Nov. 2, 1828, dau. of Lyman and Julia (Chapin)
352 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Deeth. He was for a long time station agent at Fitzwilliam,
N. H. They reside in Halifax, Mass.
Their children were :
Ellen Miranda Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, July 17, 1849; '^•
in Fitzwilliam, Jime 20, 1871, Herbert C. Keith, b. in E. Bridge-
water, Oct. 18, 184S, son of Freedom and Minerva (Holmes)
Keith. They reside in E. Bridgewater.
386. Daniel Deeth Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, June 29, 1851 ;
m. Abby S. Holmes of Halifax, Mass.
387. George Amos Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, April 28, 1853;
m. Jennie W. Richardson of Halifax, Mass.
388. Caroline Sanders Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, May 30,
1855 ; m. Benjamin F. Thrasher of Halifax, Mass.
Julia Frances Parker, b. in Fitzwilliam, April 28, 1861 ; m.
Feb. 22, 1890, Edward Heywood Sawin of Gardner, Mass., b.
Feb. 25, 1829, son of Levi Heywood and Lucy (Putnam) Sawin
of Gardner. She graduated from Smith College, Northampton,
Mass., in the class of '83.
245. Andrew Parker (Amos A.,^ Nahum,^ Amos,^
Andrezv,^ yo/in,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Col. Amos A.
and Miranda (Sanders) Parker, was b. in New Market, N.
H., March 2, 1828; m. Feb. 12, 1851, Laura S. Morse, b.
May 2, 1829, dau. of Isaac and Frances (Stevens) Morse of
Winchendon. They reside in Brookl}^, N. Y. They have
no children.
246. Miranda Sanders Parker (Amos A.,'' Nahum,^
Amosy> Andrew,^ yoh)i,^ Hanajiiah,^ Tho)nas^), dau. of Col.
Amos A. and Mary (McClary) Parker, was b. June 10, 1829 ;
m. June, 1855, Anson Burt Smith of Fitzwilliam, b. July 25,
1825. He was a prominent merchant in Winchendon for
many years, where he d. Oct. 18, 1888. She resides in Win-
chendon.
Their children were :
1. Frederick Parker Smith, b. Aug. 4. 1859; m. June 4, 1884,
H. Isabel Snelling of Boston. She d. May 19, 1888, and he
now resides in Boston.
2. Charles H. Smith, b. July 26, and d. Aug. 6, 1S60.
3. Herbert Anson Smith, b. Oct. 25, 1861 ; d. Feb. 28, 1875.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 353
247. Charles Henry Parker (Amos A.,^ Nahum,^
Amos,^ Andrezv,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^ ), son of Amos
A. and Mary (McClary) Parker, was b. in Amesbury, Mass.,
Sept., 1833; m. Nov. 23, 1859, Jane S- Ballon, b. June 17,
1836, d. Jan. 6, 1862, dau. of James and Polly (Handy)
Ballon of Richmond, N. H. He enlisted in the loth N. H.
regiment in 1861. After a service of nine months he d. at
Beute La Rosse, La., and was there buried.
Their dau. was :
Ada Parker, b. Nov. 5, i860. She resides in Keene, N. H.
248. John McClary Parker (Amos A.,^ Nahnm,^
Amosy> Andrew,^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Amos
A. and Mary (McClary) Parker, was b. in Kingston, N. H.,
Sept. 17, 1836; m. (i) Oct. 17, 1865, Catharine A. Adams,
b. June 25, 1840, d. March 19, 1869, dau. of Capt. Jonathan
S. and Abigail (Tower) Adams; m. (2) Sept. 21, 1870,
Abbie H. Kimball, b. Jan. 10, 1838, dau. of John and Jane
S. (Richardson) Kimball.
He enlisted in the 3rd N. H. Reg. in July, 1861, and served
constantly three years and three months, until toward the close
of the war. The losses of this regiment ranked among those
of the State next to the 5th. He was in the sieging of Fort
Wagner, was before Petersburgh, Drewrey's Bluff, Secession-
ville, S. C, and in man}' other important engagements. He
was promoted from private to orderly sergeant, second lieuten-
ant, first lieutenant, adjutant and sometimes led the company
as captain. Mr. Parker has been several years moderator of
the town meetings of Fitzwilliam, like his father and grand-
father before him, the three generations making a total of over
30 years. He has been for many years a merchant in Fitz-
william, where they reside.
His children were :
Helen Adams Parker, b. Aug. 6, 1866.
Francis Richardson Parker, b. July 19, 1873.
249. Alfred A. Parker (Ephraim,^ Nahum,^ Amos,^
Andreza,^ John^^ Hananiah,^ Thomas'^), son of Capt. Ephraim
and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in New Boston (part of
23
354
PARKER GENEALOGY.
Winchendon), Mass., 1823; m. in Orange, March 30, 1857,
Frances A. Whipple of Orange, b. Sept. 19, 1834, ^' Nov.
6, 1891, dau. of John Rice and Martha (Holbrook) Whipple.
While still young he removed in 1838 to St. Louis, Mo., where
he became engaged in mercantile pursuits. He removed in
1864 from St. Louis to Orange, Mass., where he now resides,
and where he has been engaged in mercantile business up to
the present time.
Their children were :
Alfred Whipple Parker, b. in St. Louis, Mo., Jan. 22, 1859; d.
in Orange, Dec. 17? 1887.
John Rice Parker, b. in Orange, Sept. 9, 1861 ; m. Jan. i, 1887;
d. Dec. 19, 1889, without issue.
Mary Powers Parker, b. in Orange, March 14, 1865.
Martha Frances Parker, b. in Orange, Dec. 6, 1867.
250. Edward Nelson Parker (Epiraim.'i Nahum,^
Amos,5 Andrew,'^ 'Joh^i,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Capt.
Ephraim and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in Marlow, N. H.,
April 7, 1822; m. in St. Louis, Feb. 7, 1848, Louisa Moore
Lackland, b. in Frederickton, Md., Feb. 6, 1826, dau. of
Dennis and Eliza Lackland. She d. Nov. 12, 1869.
Edward N. Parker came to St. Louis about 1843 and
engaged in the business of merchant tailoring and gentlemen's
furnishing goods. After the death of his wife he went to
Washington, Mo., and was editor of the Franklin County
Observer until shortly before his death, which occurred April
28, 1881, of pneumonia, and he was buried in Washington.
Their children, all b. in St. Louis, were :
Eva Louisa Parker, b. Dec. 28, 1849 > ^- Sept. 10, 1850.
389. Dennis Lackland Parker, b. April 28, 1S51.
Margaret Ann Parker, b. Oct. 22, 1852 ; d. Nov. 4, 1854.
390. Margaret Ann Parker, b. Aug. 31, 1854.
391. Lulu Louisa Parker, b. Oct. 25, 1856.
Edward Nelson Parker, b. Dec. 10, 1859; ^- J"'^^ 6' i860.
Mary Susannah Parker, b. April 21, i860. She resides in Balti-
more, Md., unm.
251. Charles Adams Parker (Efhraim;< Nahum,^
Amos,^ Andrew,'^ 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Capt.
Ephraim and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 355
H., 1833. Lived in St. Louis and Rock Island, where he
was in the mercantile business. From Rock Island he went to
California. He later became editor and publisher of a daily
paper in Virginia City, Nevada. He was president and treas-
urer of various mining companies. In 1882, when last heard
from, he was at White Pine Mines in Nevada, unmarried. It
is supposed that he is not living.
252. Horace Milton Parker (Efhraim.i Nahum^^
Amos,^ Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), son of Capt.
Ephraim and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N.
H., 1835. He went to St. Louis and also engaged in the
mercantile business in Illinois and Sulphur Springs, Mo. He
was twice married. Both wives are deceased, leaving no chil-
dren.
253. Eliza Ann Parker (Efhraim.i JVahum,^ Amos,5
Andrew,'^ John^^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Capt. Ephraim
and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in Fitzwilliam, N. H., 1838 :
m. in St. Louis, Jan. 6, 1852, Lucas C. Topping, b. in Chat-
ham, Mass., 1823, son of John and Patience Topping. He
has been a merchant in St. Louis. They now reside in
Wichita, Kan., where he is a wholesale lumber dealer.
Their son is :
I. Charles Parker Topping, b. in St. Louis, Oct. 5, 1863.
254. Janette Frances Parker (Efhraim.'J JVakum,^
Amos,^ Andrew,'' 'John,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Capt.
Ephraim and Lucy (Stone) Parker, was b. in Ashby, Mass.,
1840; m. Marshall Thayer of Springfield, Mass.
Their dau. was :
I. Grace Thayer, who is m. and is living in Boston.
255. Thomas Maxwell Parker (^imcy,^ Ebenezer,^
Thomas,^ Audrezv,^ yo/m,^ Hananiah,'^ Thomas^), son of
Quincy and Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton,
April 26, 1803 ; m. Aug. 9, 1829, in Providence, R. I., Esther
Cole Luther, b. Aug. 4, 1802, d. Nov. 27, 1845, dau. of
Mary and Theophilus Luther of Swansea, Mass. They re-
sided in Providence, where he d. Dec. 9, 1884.
356 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Their children were :
Frances Maria Parker, b. April 27, 1830 ; m. Feb., 1861, Edward
S. McCashland. She d. June 12, 1862, at Newtown, 111.
Helena Augusta Parker, b. Oct. 18, 1832 ; m. Jan. 18, 1853,
William Eddy of Providence, R. I., b. Jan. 17, 1823. They
reside in Providence.
392. Benjamin Thomas Parker, b. March 22, 1836; m. Char-
lotte A. Saunders of Augusta, Me.
Esther Louisa Parker, b. Feb. 18, 1838 ; d. July 10, 1839.
256. Joseph Brooks Parker ( jitney, ^ Ehenezer,^
Thomas,^ Andrew,"^ yohn,^ Hananiak,^ Thomas^), son of
Quincy and Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton,
July 31, 1805; m. Oct. 16, 1833, Mary Ann Morgan, b. in
Brimfield, Dec. 28, 1809, dau. of Calvin and Polly (Forbush)
Morgan. He settled in the house which he built for himself
in W. Boylston, which stands near the grist-mill at the junct-
ion of the roads. He was a true and active student in the
teachings of Christ and a devoted follower of Him, his Master.
In July, 1835, h^ w^s chosen deacon of the Orthodox Con-
gregational Church in W. Boylston. He later removed to
Clinton, residing near the depot in the house which his family
still occupy and where he d. His widow survives.
Aside from his home training, his early education was
limited to the common district school of his town. At the
age of 15 he was apprenticed to Joel Howe, a blacksmith of
Princeton, with whom he remained six years. Completing
his apprenticeship he entered the machine shop of Samuel
Flagg of Oakdale. In this position he developed at once an
uncommon tact for his new employment, for within a year
he was appointed foreman of the shop, on account of which
some of the senior workmen refusing to work under so young
a man resigned ; but his apparent ability as a mechanic held
for him his position and his manly demeanor won back his
disaffected shopmates and made them ever after his true and
faithful friends. His engagement with Mr. Flagg terminat-
ing he commenced the machine business on his own account,
occupying the shop formerly occupied by Mr. Flagg. Mean-
while, E. B. Bigelow, then of W. Boylston, and since so dis-
tinguished as an inventor, had conceived the idea of building
1»ARKER GENEALOGY. 357
a loom for weaving counterpanes. In his struggle to bring
forth the invention he sought the aid of Deacon Parker. The
coming together of these two men resulted in the formation
of a company to complete the undertaking and put the loom
in operation. The company consisted of E. B. Bigelow,
Dea. Parker and Eli Holbrook, all young men of about the
same age. This loom, however, was not a success. The
company wanting means to carry on the work further the
enterprise was for a time abandoned, though they full}^ be-
lieved in the final success of the work. From this the inven-
tive genius of E. B. Bigelow was turned to his coach lace
loom, which at once came to better results. This loom was
built by Dea. Parker and put in operation at Shirley Village,
and later was removed to Clinton. In 1840 Dea. Parker
removed his business to Providence, R. I. The success of
the Messrs. Bigelow being assured, they, with others, formed
a company, purchased the water power in Clinton, built a
machine shop and made extensive preparations for operating
their new inventions. After the trial of other machinists to
build their machinery the Bigelows again sought the aid of
Dea. Parker. He came from Providence to Clinton and
was put in charge of the new machine shop built by the
Clinton Company. This new position brought more fully his
mechanical ability to the test. Following the coach lace loom
came the reconstruction of the counterpane looms then run-
ning, but which had not done satisfactory work. These were
all rebuilt, resulting in the manufacture of a much improved
fabric. Following these were the gingham and Brussels
carpet looms, each of which was the_^rs^ loom of its kind ever
in operation. All these were made under Dea. Parker's
supervision. All were new, there being no models to work
from or workmen experienced in that line of machinery build-
ing. Everything was wrought out step by step without the
suggestion or the aid of others. In the coach lace loom was
found the germ of the Brussels carpet loom which was brought
to its present state of perfection only by the protracted study
of years. To invent or make such a masterpiece of machinery
is honor enough for any man and justly entitles him to lasting
fame. The idea of a machine being given him he could make
358 PARKER GENEALOGY.
it, which oftener than otherwise is the most difficuh part to
perform. In 185 1 Dea. Parker went to England to superin-
tend the setting up of Brussels carpet looms. He returned
after eight months. Soon after he built a manufactory in Clin-
ton. His business at once increased ; the machine shop was
doubly enlarged and under his management it became an
important business interest of Clinton, and it is still conducted
under the name of The J. B. Parker Machine Co. His strong
points as a man of business were his strength and clearness of
mind. These were seen in everything. United with his intense
application this quality was invaluable to him as a machinist.
He was a man of superior judgment. This also appeared in
all matters of every-day life. He was every man's counsellor
though he never wore a title. In his business few men were
his equal as a judge of machinery. Young men esteemed it
a privilege to be taught the trade of a machinist by him. His
ideal of a machine was perfection. Great care was taken to
make every machine perfect. Nothing was allowed to leave
his shop that was not so. This had much to do with his suc-
cess in after life. His attention to all the details of his busi-
ness was unremitting. He trusted nothing to others. And as
it was continuously on the increase it was almost a matter of
necessity that he be more and more industriously occupied
with its cares and management. In the summer of 1859 ^^
and his family spent a day at the seashore in York, Me.,
which up to that time was the only holiday of the kind he had
enjoyed. Few men are identified with the almost model town
of Clinton more than Dea. Parker. In the variety and extent
of his manufactures, in its rapid growth and continued pros-
perity he took a constant and bore a conspicuous part. And
could the town be photographed in its moral as well as in its
material aspects it would appear that he was even more an
important factor in it. A man of clear head, sound judgment
and Christian character that always commanded respect and
confidence. He with others did the most valuable pioneer
service in laying the foundations of the moral and religious
institutions of the town. He exerted a strong influence over
young men and by his counsel and example was most useful
in aiding them to make a good start in life. Though suffi-
PARKER GENEALOGY. 359
ciently conservative he was a man of reform, always headed
in the right direction, always standing for the best things, no
man ever doubting how he would talk or what he would do
when the common good was at stake.
Their children were :
Mary Isadore Parker, b. in W. Boylston, Oct. 7, 1836; d. in
Lancaster, July 14, 1845.
Henrietta Eveline Parker, b. in Lancaster, Sept. 5, 1841 ; d,
in Lancaster, July i, 1843.
Mary Isadore Parker, b. in Lancaster, June 6, 1844 ; resides with
her mother in Clinton.
393. Henrietta Eveline Parker, b. in Lancaster, July 29,
1847 ; m. Charles Murdock of W. Boylston.
257. William Eaton Parker (^uncy,^ Ebeneze?-,^
Thomas,^ Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Uanamak,^ Thomas^), son of
Quincy and Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton,
June 6, 1808. He was very fond of travel and adventure.
He went West, locating finally in Columbus, O., where he m.
Unfortunately little is known of this family. His life was
doubtless an active and interesting one, worthy of longer inser-
tion here, if the facts could only be ascertained. He had
several children, of whom a daughter is supposed to be living.
Two of his children died of scarlet fever, and William Parker,
his son, was killed in the war of the Rebellion. He, the son,
joined McClellan's army and was killed at the battle of the
Wilderness, where he was fighting in the foremost ranks.
Priscilla Elvira Parker (see page 213), (^lincy.i
Ebenezer,^ Thomas y- Andrew ^'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^),
dau. of Quincy and Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in
Princeton, April 26, 1809. She was teacher in the High
School, Providence, R. 1. She was a very kind hearted and
worthy lady. For many years before her death she kindly
assumed the care of the children of her then deceased sister,
Mrs. Eunice Herrick. She d. Nov. 6, 1872, aged 6-^, and
was buried in the family grave-yard at Princeton.
259. Ira Parker (^cmcy,^ Ebenezer,^ Thomas y^ Andrew,^
yohn,^ Hanamah,^ Thotnas^), son of Quincy and Patience
(Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton, April 16, 1814; m.
360 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Maria Haskell, dau. of Moses and Kezia (Warner) Haskell
of Providence, R. I., the latter being of the Warner family of
Seekonk, Mass. He was a very industrious, hard-working
man ; like his family was a good mechanic and enjoyed agri-
culture as a recreation. He d. in Ashburnham.
Their children were :
Hannibal Parker ; d. young.
394. Charles Hannibal Parker, b. March 22, 1839; m. Abby
J. Rockwood of Ashburnham.
Gilbert J. Parker ; d. young.
395. Alfred Wright Parker, b. June 5, 1844 ; m. Clara Hallet
of Yarmouthport.
396. Julia Maria Parker ; m. Edward Saftbrd.
Josephine R. Parker ; deceased.
397. Frank Herbert Parker, b. in E. Boston, July 24, 1852 ;
m. Marietta Story of Newburyport.
260. Eliza Parker (^uncy,^ Ebenezer,^ Thomas,^
Andrew,"^ John,^ Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Quincy and
Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton, Oct. 20,
1815 ; m. in Providence, R. I., Dec. 16, 1840, Jonas Hunt,
b. in Boylston, April 29, 1810, son of David and Nancy (Cut-
ting) Hunt of Boylston. They removed to Clinton, where
he was a machinist, and where he d. Aug. 20, 1892. She
d. April 20, 1892, the last survivor of her family of 13 children.
David Hunt of Boylston was b. in Sudbury, Feb. 12, 1784.
Nancy Cutting was b. in Boylston, July 30, 1784. William
Hunt was the first of the name in New England. He was b.
in 1605 : came from Yorkshire, Eng., and settled early in
Concord, Mass. From him was descended Isaac of Sudbury,
Isaac, Isaac, Isaac, then Uriah of Boylston, who was the
father of David above mentioned.
Their children were :
I. Elizabeth Laroche Hunt, b. in Providence, R. I., Oct. 14,
1842 ; m. in Clinton, Oct. 2, 1873, Salem Wilder of Sterling,
b. in Templeton, Aug. 30, 1842, son of Thomas W. and
Martha B. Wilder. They reside in Clinton, where he is a
belt maker. Their dau. is :
I. Ethel Louise Wilder, b. in Clinton, Jan. i, 1879.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 361
2. Hanford Lavier Hunt, b. in Clinton, May 12, 1846; m. in
Southbridge, Aug. 26, 1874, Flora Booth, b. in Baldwins-
ville, N. Y., March 27, 1849, dau. of Thomas and Elizabeth
Booth. He is a clothing merchant in Willimantic, Ct., where
they reside. Their children were :
I. Harry L. Hunt, b. in Willimantic, Nov. 12, 1877.
II. Willie B. Hunt, b. March 13, 1880; d. Aug. 10, 1886.
3. Alice Louise Hunt, b. in Clinton, Oct. 16, 1848. She is a
teacher of art in Ann Arbor, Mich.
4. Mary Emma Hunt, b. in Clinton, Dec. 29, 1854; m. June 22,
1882, Eben H. Bailey, son of Oliver and Judith (Howe)
Bailey of Rowley, Mass. They reside in Boston.
261. Sally Parker (^imcy,^ Ebenezer,^ Thomas^^
Andrew,'' JohnJ> Hanamah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Quincy and
Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton, March i,
1817 ; m. Sept. 28, 1847, George Brown Thomas of Provi-
dence, R. I. They settled on the west side of that city. He
was a member of the old firm of "Thomas and Co.," tailors,
and d. Feb. 18, 1875. Owing to her excellent memory and
regard for her family many interesting items and important
dates have been added to this genealogy. She resides on
Warren Street, Providence, with her dau. and son-in-law,
John Davis.
Their children were :
1. Anna Louise Thomas, b. Sept. 28, 1848; m. June 8, 1870,
John Edward Davis of Providence. Their children were :
I. Jane Louise Davis, b. Jan. 13, 1872.
II. Bessie Alice Davis, b. Nov. 12, 1873.
III. Blanche Nathalie Davis, b. Nov. 20, 1877.
2. Frederick Parker Thomas, b. Jan. 9, 1853 ; d. May 20, 1854.
3. Clarence Frederick Thomas, b. Nov. 20, 1857 ; resides in
Providence, unm.
262. Artimus Parker ( jitney ^"^ Ehenezer^^ Thomas ^^
Andrew,"^ yokn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Quincy and
Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Princeton, Feb. 22, 1819 »
m. Susan Pierce of W. Boylston. They soon removed to
Boston, and later to Kansas with the early settlers of that
State. When the Kansas War broke out he was journeying
362 PARKER GENEALOGY.
from Columbus, O., and a curious experience he had. While
proceeding through Kansas on horseback his attention was
attracted by a mob, and curious to know its meaning hastened
into its midst. He was immediately supposed to be one of the
leaders of the mob, was arrested by the authorities and impris-
oned for three months. Later he gathered his family together
at Columbus and there settled. He d. Oct. 8, 1864. She
was b. in Sutton, Mass., the dau. of John and Lucy (Carroll)
Pierce, who owned a large farm there, and had a family of six
sons and six daughters, of whom the only surviving one is
William N. Pierce, Esq., of W. Boylston. Another of the
brothers was Rev. John W. Pierce, a Congregational minister
of Highgate, Vt.
Their children were :
Susan Emily Parker, b. Oct. 10, 1848 ; m. Sept. 21, 1872, William
H. Ward, and removed to Skovvhegan, Me. They have :
1. Walter Newell Ward, b. July 17, 1875.
2. Ethel Carroll Ward, b. July 20, 1880.
3. EsTELLA Parker Ward, b. March 14, 1883.
4. Wilder Wheeler Ward, b. March 9, 1885.
263. Quincy Parker, Jr. ( .^incy ^^ Ebenezer ,^ Thomas ^^
Andrew,'- yohn,^ Uananiah,^ Thomas^), son of Quincy and
Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Rindge, N. H., Jan. 12,
182 1. Most of his childhood days were spent in Rindge, but
he was for a while in Princeton and Boylston. At 14 he
started out to earn his own living, and at 16 he determined to
learn the moulder's trade, entering the High Street Foundry,
Providence, R. L, in which city his mother was living. The
trade he mastered in two years. Wishing to see something of
the world he left home and let himself as a sailor on the whale-
ship JVew England of Poughkeepsie, N. Y., bound for S.
America. He felt perfectly at home on board ship and easily
distinguished himself among his fellow-sailors. Prizes were
offered by the captain for the one who first saw the whale.
He was the first to win the prize. He loved to race his com-
panions about the rigging, being exceptionally quick and
strong. For six years he cruised at sea and visited Talque-
hama, Callao, Lima and all places of any note along the
PARKER GENEALOGY.
363
QyiNCY Parker, Jr.
364 PARKER GENEALOGY.
coast of S. America. Like many sailors much might be said
about his travels, his narrow and miraculous escapes from
drowning, sunstrokes, etc. In the employ of the Peruvian
government he explored the Andes Mts. and the wild parts of
Peru. After satisfying his love for romantic adventure and
witnessing many wonderful things he shipped for home. The
captain of the vessel was a tyrant and was soon universally
hated by the crew. While at sea he safely escaped from the
ship and came the remainder of the way upon other vessels.
Returning home to Providence he gave his mother and
friends a great surprise, as they had received no word from
him and all supposed him dead. In Providence he again
worked at the moulder's trade, at which he was a very effi-
cient workman, and continued at the Franklin Foundry for 24
years. In 1848 he was m. to Almira Kent of Eaton, N. Y.
They settled upon Smith Hill in Providence, where he still
resides. Since the death of Milton Parker, his youngest son,
he has engaged in the florist business at his home, besides
being the maker oi Parker's Premium Tomato Catsup. Mrs.
Almira (Kent) Parker, after a severe illness, d. Jan. 30, 1888.
He m. (2) Nov. 20, 1889, Emerancy Kent, sister to his late
wife.
His children were :
398. Eugene Costello Parker ; m. Adelia O. Barker.
Almira Eunice Parker ; resides with her father in Providence.
399. Clara Emu Parker ; ni. Lorenzo Dupony.
Milton Parker ; d. at age 18.
Eugene B. Parker, b. March 28, 1849; d. Feb., 1850.
QuiNcy K. Parker, b. Jan. i, 1853 ; d. Aug., 1855.
A child, b. and d. April 8, 1861.
264. Eunice Parker (^tncy,^ Ebenezer,^ Thomas,^
Andrew,'^ yohn,^ Hananiah,^ Thomas^), dau. of Quincy and
Patience (Brooks) Parker, was b. in Rindge, N. H., Aug. i,
1822 ; m. George Herrick. He won for himself the title of
Colonel. He was a volunteer in the R. I. State militia ; was
active in many engagements and was wounded at the battle
of Gettysburg. She d. 1849.
Their children were :
PARKER GENEALOGY. 365
1. Edwin Thomas Herrick, b. in Providence, R. I., March 28,
1846; m. Jennie Knight, an adopted dau. of Edwin Knight.
Their children are :
I. Fannie Herrick; aged 15.
II. George Herrick; aged 11.
2. Mary Emma Herrick, b. in Providence, March 20, 1848 ; m,
(i) in Providence, May 21, 1874, James H. McClenthan, son
of James H. and Caroline V. McClenthan. She m. (2) in
Minneapolis, Minn., April 14, 1887, Watson S. Taylor, son
of Hector J. and Maria Taylor, b. in Jefferson, N. Y., May
5, 1850. He is superintendent of the Red River Lumber Co.
and they reside in Crookston, Minn. Her children, all b. in
Minneapolis, were :
I. Mabel McClenthan, b. Oct. 15, 1876.
u. Frederick H. McClenthan, b. Aug. 18, 1880 ; d. July
3, 1881.
III. Herrick McClenthan, b. Feb. 18, 1882.
265. Louisa Parker (Ebenezer^'^ Ebenezer ,^ Thomas ^^
Andrew^'' yohn,^ Uanantah,^ Thomas^)^ dau. of Ebenezer,
Jr., and Hannah B. (Merriam) Parker, was b. in Princeton,
Dec. 13, 1806; m. April lo, 1828, Eli Walker, b. March 2,
1802, son of Hezekiah and Lucy (Raymond) Walker of
Holden. They lived first near the homestead in the house
adjoining that of Israel Howe ; second, in W. Boylston, being
principally upon that place which is still occupied by their
family. She d. Feb. 24, 1884, her death resulting from a fall.
He belonged to a sturdy and long lived family. In his eighty-
fourth year, then still smart and active, but very deaf, he was
struck by a railway train, causing his death, June 9, 1886.
All who knew him felt the loss of a kind neighbor and a valu-
able citizen.
Their children were :
1. Melville Walker, b. Dec. 14, 1828; d. March 21, 1829.
2. Julia Maria Walker, b. Feb. 3, 1830; m. May 4, 1852,
Lovell A. Lesure, son of Simeon of Uxbridge and Hopy
(Lovell) Lesure of W. Boylston. He is well known as a
carriage maker and resides in Oakdale, where she lived until
her decease, which occurred Aug. 5, 1889. Uniting in early
life with the Baptist Church she filled with great Christian
activity and zeal many important offices in the Church and
366 PARKER GENEALOGY.
mission circles while faithfully fulfilling with love and devotion
all her home duties as wife, mother and friend. She was a
very active member and treasurer of the Woman's Christian
Temperance Union, and her words of encouragement did
much to cheer the heai'ts of her co-laborers. Dea. Lovell
Lesure m. (2) Sept., 1890, Mrs. Sarah Martin of West
Boylston. The children of Julia Maria (Walker) Lesure were :
I. Carrie Maria Lesure, b. Jan. 23, i860; m. Sept. 10,
1885, Alfred H. Evans, son of Rev. William H. and M.
(Barber) Evans. Their children were :
1. Helen Barber Evans, b. Sept. 12, 1886.
2. Ada Lesure Evans, b. July 23, 1887.
3. Ralph Curtis Evans, b. Jan. 9, 1892.
II. Waldo Haskell Lesure, b. Oct. 14, 1866; m. Sept.
26, 1889, Annie G, Hastings, dau. of George M. W.
and Olive (Lord) Hastings. They have one son, b.
Sept. 16, 1890.
III. Ada Chilson Lesure, b. Aug. 2, 1872 ; d. Sept. 27, 1876.
Their adopted son was :
Herbert Stearns Lesure, b. Oct. 22, 1850; adopted
May =5, 1857; son of Abijah and Clarissa M. (Water-
man) White. He is m. and resides in Worcester.
3. Harriet Sophia Walker, b. Jan. 27, 1832 ; d. Jan. 18, 1850.
4. Mary Louisa Walker, b. Feb. 24, 1834; m. April 12, 1854,
Milton K. Howe, son of William and Eunice (Robbins)
Howe of Princeton. Their children were:
I. Edgar R. Howe, b. June 19, 1855. He is an optician
in Worcester.
II. Walter Arvine Howe, b. Aug. 25, 1S58 ; d. April 6,
1863.
5. Melville Edward Walker, b. Feb. 23, 1836; m. in W.
Boylston, Nov. 19, 1865, Louise Hutchinson of W. Sutton, b.
in Oxford, Nov. 15, 1845, dau. of Stephen and Evelyn (Jenks)
Hutchinson. They reside in Los Angeles, Cal., where he is a
florist. Children :
I. Clarence M. Walker, b. in W. Boylston, Aug. 27,
1866; d. Aug. 10, 1867.
II. May Walker, b. in W. Boylston, May 13, and d. May
15, 1868.
III. LoLiTA Gertrude Walker, b. in W. Boylston, March
16, 1871 ; d. June 27, 1871.
PARKER GENEALOGY. 367
IV. LoLiTA Walker, b. in W. Boylston, Dec. 4, 1872; m.
April 23, 1891, Bernard Berg. Child:
I. CliflFord W. Berg, b. Feb. i, 1892.
V. Walter Walker, b. in Pawtucket, R. I., March 16,
1880; d. June 16, 1881.
6. Emily Adline Walker, b. Sept. 3, 1840; m. April 17, 1861,
Rutillius Dana, son of George and Ora (Newton) Dana of W.
Boylston. They reside in W. Boylston and have one dau. :
I. LiLA Gertrude Dana.
7. William Raymond Walker, b. May 22, 1843 ; m. July 15,
1868, Mary Bailey, b. in England, Oct. 10, 1843, dau. of
Robert and Elizabeth (Butcher) Bailey of England. They
reside in W. Boylston and have children :
I. Franklin Eli Walker, b. Aug. 24, 1873.
II. Alice Elizabeth Walker, b. July 3, 1875.
III. Frederick Bailey Walker, b. Jan. 15, 1878.
IV. How^ARD William Walker, b. May 29, 1883.
8. Anna Eudora Walker, b. Sept. 9, 1849; m. in S. Dedham,
Mass., Nov. 22, 1871, Edward Ross, b. in Preston, England,
Feb. 21, 1847, ^^^^ °^ Alexander and Hannah (Tuson) Ross
of England. They reside in W. Boylston, where he is a
mechanic. They have had three children :
I. Dillon Walker Ross, b. in W. Boylston, Sept. 23,
1872 ; d. July 17, 1880.
II. Alida Louisa Ross, b. in W. Boylston, Feb. 4, 1876.
III. Walter Wyman Ross, b. in W. Boylston, Jan. i, 1884;
d. March 2, 1886.
266. Charles Augustus Parker (Ebenczer.i Ehene-
zer,^ Thomas,^ Andrezv,^ 'yohn,^ Hanantah,^ Thomas^), son
of Ebenezer, Jr., and Hannah B. (Merriam) Parker, was b.
in Princeton, Aug. i8, 1808 ; m. Dec. 18, 1834, Sylvia A.
Moore,* dau. of John and Sirena Moore of Princeton. They
settled upon a part of the homestead estate. The house which
he built by the north side of the pond is still standing and here
* She was sister to Dr. George W. Moore, who d. in Amherst, N. H., Sept.
8, 1866, whose eminence as a physician was well known. Another brother
was Humphrey Moore, Esq., who d. in Baltimore, Dec, 1886, who gave a
considerable portion of his property to found the " Humphrey Moore Insti-
tute" for the benefit of young men, which gives promise of doing good work
for Baltimore.
368 PARKER GENEALOGY.
Mrs. Sylvia Parker still resides. The location shares the
natural beauties of the old homestead. While yet a young
man he was school teacher at the district school near the
homestead for several terms. From his manhood to the time
of his early death he was a subject of asthma. He was, not-
withstanding, very industrious and ambitious, and possessed
much mec 
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